#i know nobodys really lurking around waiting for me

[ravensmadreads]

.

[mxstellatayte]

Charles Leclerc + hands itching their way up thighs during drive

nsfw under the cut <3 minors can lurk but please do not interact!

it's always been obvious that you have a thing for charles' hands. they're pretty and well-maintained and just slightly bigger than yours, and you'd be lying if the sight of them doesn't do some things to you.

the two of you have been dancing around whatever awkward friends-with-benefits-but-nobody-can-tell-if-they're-really-still-just-friends-or-if-they're-in-love-and-don't-know-it-yet thing is going on in your relationship, and you're almost positive that today is going to be no different. you were laying in his apartment, watching a movie and contemplating what to have for dinner, when he asked if you wanted to go for a drive.

who would you be to decline?

so here you are, sitting in a car that probably costs more than your entire salary, charles' hand on your thigh as he drives one-handed through the streets of monaco and out to the french countryside. he must know what he's doing to you, because his hand is slowly inching its way up your thigh and is getting too close to the edge of your shorts to be innocent.

"charles."

"hm?" he doesn't take his eyes off of the road, but as you eye his side profile, you swear you can see the distinct shape of a smirk on his lips.

"stop teasing."

"what do you mean?"

"don't play dumb. if you want to fuck me, just say so." your forwardness catches charles off guard- his eyes widen and the smirk falls off of his face. "gotcha."

"alright, fine. if that's what you want, i guess i can fuck you. is that what you need? you need my cock inside of you that badly that you can't even wait half an hour until we get to dinner. you're so needy, cherí." this time, you're the one caught off guard, and moments later, you're straddling his thighs, your faces mere inches apart. "aw, no bratty comments now? of course. you're just so dumb for my cock, darling. it's all you need, isn't it?" his words turn your brain to mush, and the only response you can muster is nodding dumbly.

when you sit down at the restaurant charles has chosen, you can still feel the remaining pain from his grip on your hips, and his cum stains your underwear.

[phoenixeclipse-lmkau]

So uh, I realise I wrote too much again, so like, I don't expect the questions to be answered, I just think in questions and what ifs. I don't expect the questions to be answered at all just go for a general respond to the vibes if u want.

I think you should have Reader go back to her world and the duo try and go after her.

According to JTTW isn't the world in the palm of Buddha or something? Would Reader's world be in the future or an alternate world/palm?

I'm just imagining after they go through all their adventures and grow and mature as people[monkies?], they should get a power of friendship[romance] power boost to go to Reader's world and immediately cause chaos there, with all the drama that is involved.

What would they think about everyone knowing so much about them? Is there a heavenly realm/court thingy they can ransack, so we can have shenanigans of two heavenly courts fighting the duo and each other on what to do regarding the situation?

How would the duo react to meeting Reader's family? Would there be a Sun Wukong and Macaque in Reader's world? How would they react to the Cursed Warlords duo?

What if Reader goes home with them still cursed instead?

Imagine Reader being separated from them because as far as anyone knows, these are wild animals that should live in a zoo or something.

Nobody would believe that the monkeys came from another world, they would just wonder how Reader managed to steal 2 monkey cubs from their parents and habitat most likely across country lines

People probably think Reader is an abusive, cruel, ignorant asshole who probably got them from a poacher or something.

Can u imagine the amount of harassment, hate and vitriol Reader would get, and the monkeys would witness?

And they would only see a bunch of humans, targeting the one human who no matter what tried their best to keep them safe, saying that Reader is a horrible person that they will "save" them from, only to be shoved into tiny cages[carriers] only to be taken into a prison where they are stared at 24/7 with flashing lights from all sides with no privacy[zoo], forced to eat pellets while reader would probably starve before letting them go hungry[fruit has been bred to have too much sugar that it gives animals cavities so zoos don't use them], being manhandled by strangers poking random things into them[vets giving check-up and bloodwork]?

Imagine if they broke their curse after experiencing all of that, oh their reaction to everything:

monkey duo: "ok, there is no way we will leave Reader here, court-napping kidnapping 'rescue' reader plan is a go!"

reader, who only saw them as cubs and was imprisoned shortly after they were separated: "Who tf are you???? Why do these two monkey demons act like they know me??? How did they even get here??? WAIT WHY AM I BEING TAKEN BACK??? WHAT ABOUT THE CUBS?? are these the cubs parents??"

monkey duo, touched that reader still remembers to think about them after all this kerfuffle:"… ok we are definitely going to marry reader, gonna have to shift plans to move it up the schedule"

This had me absolutely busting a gut as I was reading it. The idea would be something that would be fun to play with for sure.

I don’t think that I’ll have them go to her world this early in the Au, but eventually they’ll probably go there because they don’t like her being anywhere that isn’t with them. Well other than Flower Fruit Mountain, as they believe that she is safest there. (Haven’t decided when they actually go to her world yet, or if they’ll go there quietly or if they’ll bust into the place or not)

Now for Reader’s World, I realize it’s something I haven’t really mentioned before. Reader’s world is a modern world, one that doesn’t have demons or monsters lurking around every corner. My thought is it’s just like Earth in this way. I like the idea of Reader’s world being one that isn’t on Buddha’s palm at all, in fact it’s a world that should be impossible for her to leave or travel to. However due to a specific magic that flows through her, she is able to get pulled to and from her world. What magic? Honestly haven’t decided on that yet. But the only way she can control it is with magical artifacts, her magic simply powering the artifact and guiding it to the right dimension. She and two other people are the only ones who can even do this properly, even if her own is a complete accident usage every time.

No there isn’t a Sun Wukong and Macaque in her world. That would be funny true, but with her world being a modern one I don’t feel like it fits.

My thoughts on Reader traveling between the worlds, hehe~ Let’s just say I’ve got a few fun plans for that. Especially when the Monkey Duo can’t do anything about it (At least not for a while). 👀 Heck due to the nature of Reader’s nullification to magic, Macaque can’t even just know when she arrives in their world. They will get rather desperate to get her back on more than one occasion. HA! I am going to make them work for this girl! They want her, they will have to work / fight for her. Though the fighting comes like second nature to them, heck more than second nature to them actually.

On the topic of marriage though, Wukong and Macaque think more along the lines of courting. They just want to court-nap her and mate with her and then she would be their wife by Demon standards. So they won’t really think to have an actual wedding… at least not until they learn about that human custom.

I loved your ideas btw, thank you so much for sharing them with me ❤️

As always if anyone else has any other ideas, then send them my way! I love to hear everyone’s thoughts. Such as this Anon’s who had me laughing so hard I swear my stomach hurt from it.

Just thinking about the monkey duo being put into a zoo was hilarious. The absolute rage Wukong would feel would be something to behold, including the fact that he’d probably tear down the zoo if the curse vanished while he was in it. Reader would be all worried about your monkeys trying to figure out how to free them when suddenly there’s some sort of fire happening at the zoo they were brought to. You would probably fear for the worst.

Until two monkey demons probably enter through your window, ready to take their darling back home.

“How…” Reader gasps as you stared into beautiful golden eyes that stared at you with a love stuck smile.

“Hello Reader~ Are you ready to go home?” Wukong mutters, his tail swaying back and forth like that of a cat.

“Who are you!?” you want to run. The demon in front of you is covered in blood and walking towards you at a rather quick pace, too quick.

“Now, now. We can’t have you running,” Another demon mutters as arms wrap around your waist, seemly out of no where.

Turning you are about to yell when you notice a set of three ears on each side of his head. Immediately your thoughts going to your little monkey cubs as she's picked up effortlessly.

"Ahh! Let me go! Who the heck are you!? Are you Plum and Peaches parents? Is that why you're here? I swear I don't have them, they- they're trapped at the zoo... I didn't do anything to them-" you would get cut off rather quickly.

"Shh, shh we know. We know that you didn't do anything other than care for them. Gotta say being called Plum for months was strange but can't say I hated it," Macaque would whisper in your ear.

As this is revealed to you, a sense of terror washes over you. Slowly you find yourself turning to look at the other monkey demon in the room. The similarities were so distinctive and they were right in your face. You couldn't deny it now.

"Now, let's get you back home. We aren't going to leave you for this stupid world to take care of you. No, they can't take care of you like we can," Wukong mutters, nuzzling his face against your cheek.

You can try to get out of their hold all you like, but you won't succeed with these two. They love you too much to let you go now. You sealed your fate the moment you gave them food, if I'm being honest. Especially with what the zoo tried to feed them.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

family day ask, if that's alright! could i request an interaction with rook and eric venue, vil's father? the way i think of it, this can go either really funnily or oddly. or both.

Consider this a prequel interaction to this one; I doubt that Mr. Venue can get past the Pomefiore gates on his own, so let's assume he meets a certain huntsman that helps him out ����

Family means Nobody is Left Behind or Forgotten.

From his vantage spot amid the tree leaves, Rook could see all. He was like a hawk, able to glean the animals weaving through the foods, the rooftops, the students and their families coming to and fro. This view, he adored.

But equally as stunning as these sights were the pockets of darkness in them. They made his blood soar, singing, all the same. Carcesses returning life to the soil, damage from the natural elements, quarrels…

The sketchy man lurking at the shining gates to Pomefiore.

“Oh la la, what have we here?”

Curiosity piqued, Rook focused his gaze on the man. He was dressed in a full tracksuit, a mask concealing the shape of his mouth—though with a neat beard on his chin, judging by the slight protrustion—and a large pair of sunglasses covering his eyes. Given the lenses and the natural lighting, Rook would venture his iris color was a deep violet. A baseball cap hid most of his hair—though tufts of gold stuck out—and shadowed his face. It was an older man, Rook could tell, from the glimpses of skin he could catch, creasing and folding in a predictable manner.

The man glanced around, checking for onlookers (Rook chuckled to himself, knowing that he had no clue the huntsman was watching), then made his move. Reaching out with gloved hands, he tested the iron bars keeping him from entering the utopia of beauty protected by them. Of course, the gates held together, tight as coupled ravens.

Before the man could attempt to fiddle with the lock, he jolted at the sound of two approaching Pomefiore students. (Rook heard them clearly; they were talking about a recent Magic History exam and how their parents were currently speaking with Trein.) He hurriedly dove into a nearby hedge. The duo came up to the gate, which magically swung open for them.

“Excuse me, gentlemen!”

The mob students startled at the masked man popping out from a bush. “What the…?!”

“May I join you?” he asked (as if it was the most normal thing in the entire world for a masked man to appear from the greenery to solicit high school students). “My son is a student in your dorm, you see—but I haven’t been having any luck getting in. I’ve been trying for some time now, but the gates always shut again when I try to rush inside.”

“Erm… Are you acquainted with this scruffy guy?” one mob asked the other.

“Not at all, but anyone with sense would know that he’s entirely suspicious,” the other replied. “What say you and I cast him out?”

“Yes, let’s do that. We wouldn’t want riffraff tainting the Beautiful Queen’s domain!”

“Wh-What?!” The man automatically thrusted both arms up. “Hold on a second!!!”

Rook grinned like a cat that had gotten his fill of cream. Ohohoh, it looks as though the situation is quickly heating up. It’s about time for me to throw my hat into the fray.

He descended without a sound, the leaves barely shaking. Rook landed softly on his feet and crept toward the front gates, where ugly shouts rose.

“Bonjour!” he called, strutting up to his students. Feigning ignorance. “What seems to be the issue here?”

“Hunt-senpai!” A mob thrust an accusatory finger at the stranger. “This strange individual is trying to storm Pomefiore!”

“We were just about to apprehend him, Rook-sama.”

“Wait, I can explain!!” The man protested. His every word trembled, overflowing with sincerity. “My son…! My son is in there, and I need to see him!”

Ah, I see. This man’s secret identity is…

The huntsman’s eyes shone with clear understanding.

“My dear students, you needn’t worry—please, leave him to me,” Rook insisted, shooing them away with his hands.

“If Hunt-senpai says so…” The mob students exchanged a look before scurrying inside. The gates slammed shut after them.

“Oh no, not again!!” the man groaned. “My luck’s been rotten this whole day…”

Rook laughed, sweeping off his hat and dipping into a bow before the stranger. “As it so happens, monsieur, I am Pomefiore’s vice dorm leader. I would be more than happy to grant you an audience with our queen… Mr. Eric Venue, correct?”

The man stiffened for but a split second. He easily recovered, sprinkling controlled panic into his voice. “Eric Venue? The famous movie star? I’m flattered, but I think you’re mistaking me for someone else.”

“Am I? I would never mistake the desperate cries of a loving father. Those looks, that voice, a disguise for this busy occasion, a father’s passion… They tell a story all of their own.” There was a pause. “Ah, but I’m afraid you won’t get very far by making efforts to conceal yourself. I understand why—a celebrity cannot call too much attention to oneself—but it can be difficult to persuade, even with your charisma, when so much of the face is hidden. Humans have a natural instinct to distrust that which they cannot see.”

“That’s…”

Rook leaned in, his lips parting to form a whisper. “Ne vous inquiétez pas. I assure you, your secret is safe with me and that the journey will be quick and discreet. I know of a secret passageway to Vil’s chambers. About this time of day… yes, I believe he would be easy to reach.”

Eric’s brows shot up, genuine surprise registering on his face. “… Haha, you have an eye for detail, young man.”

“Fufufu, so I am told.” Rook extended a hand to him. “How about it? Will you accept my offer?”

“Well…” Eric lowered his sunglasses a smidge, flashing a glimpse of his deep-set amethyst eyes. “You’re an odd fellow, but I can tell you mean no harm and speak earnestly. And you’re my Vil’s vice dorm leader, his trusted confidant. I was worried that my presence might stir up a crowd, but I think it’s safe to put my faith in you.”

Rook dropped to a kneel, a loyal knight before a king. When he rose again, he lifted both arms and bent in deference.

“Suivez-moi.”

[chxrryhxrt]

To Mordor and back, part 2 - Eddie Munson x Female Reader

Read part 1 here!

Synopsis: You and Eddie’s anniversary is approaching, and you call upon Steve Harrington to assist you in planning it. However, when you’re seen spending too much time with him, how will Eddie deal with it?

Warnings: angst, swearing, emotionally constipated Eddie (but he gets over it) and fluff

Part two is finally done!!!!! Talk about a long wait (2 whole years 😭😭) I really hope you enjoy!

Eddie’s eyes flickered over the letter, his fingers still tightly grasping onto it. With each reread, understanding washed over him and he felt as if he was experiencing the five stages of goddamn idiocy in real time.

In this moment, thousands of thoughts were flying through his mind: ‘Have I ruined it? Is she okay? Will she ever forgive me?’ What stood out to him however, more than anything, was the faintly familiar feeling of paralysis. Feet melded with the ground and his eyebrows furrowed as he gripped onto the roots of his hair and tugged, willing his body to do something – anything.

He had not felt this way in a long time, not since he was seven, young and small, not yet wise to the give and take of the world. Now, as he stood there beside the mailbox, Eddie remembered. He remembered his father standing tall above him, with not so much as a frown on his face; he remembered wanting nothing more than to see his mum again.

He supposed it was strange, the way that new heartbreak can reignite old heartbreak, because in this moment all he wanted was to see his mum again, and he wanted her to be waiting by her side.  

Finally, a coherent thought surfaced – he was going to fix this.

Legs broke free from their confines, and he found himself racing inside, paying no heed to the mess he had made last night in the depths of his misery. There was a metallic jingling as he scooped his keys off the kitchen counter, and a scratching as he wrote Wayne a note on the back of a receipt.

It read: ‘Be back soon. Super sorry about the mess, will clean later!’

His van pulled up outside your house, screeching loudly as it parked. Despite this, it still managed to be a less obnoxious arrival than usual, as no metal music erupted from the radio, the only sound being his laboured breaths as he clambered out of the driver’s seat and headed to your door.

In his frenzied state, he had forgone shoes and was yet to change out of the clothes he haphazardly threw on earlier this morning. Hence, rather than hurrying down the cobbled pathway, he found himself hobbling, his socked feet carrying him as fast as they could given the insistent jabbing sensation on his soles.

Eventually, having reached the front of your house with his feet still intact, he rang the doorbell.

He waited, admittedly rather impatiently, for a couple of minutes before deciding to ring again.

Having concluded that there was no movement within the house, Eddie wondered if perhaps the bell was broken, so he knocked, the hard sound of knuckles against wood echoing throughout the door.

This time, when no lights flicked on and no silhouettes moved behind the curtained windowpanes, he decided to scout around the sides of your house.

Had he not been so desperate to speak with you, he might have cared more about how creepy he looked, pushing the gate to your garden open and peering into every window he came across.

At one point, he contemplated pushing his head in through the cat flap, but quickly decided against it as visions of getting himself stuck flooded his imagination.

After the long night yesterday and the subsequent late wake up, Eddie found that it was already beginning to pass into evening. Having ascertained that nobody was at home, he thought it best to leave. Although he needed frantically to see you, he was in an enough improved headspace to know that if you came home to find him lurking in your backyard it would not help his case.

 

The drive back to the trailer park was even than the quieter than the ride to your house had been - just Eddie and his thoughts.

He was almost done with the journey, the tarmac laid out in front of him and the turning for his road on the right. He intended on trying his luck again tomorrow, his hopes of ever reconciling this stupid stupid miscommunication with you plummeting.

His palms sweated, loosening his grip on the steering wheel as he swerved indecisively, half a mind set on turning right to go home, the other half wanting to drive aimlessly for a little while longer.

Having now missed his opportunity to head back to the trailer, he set his sight firmly on street, watching as smaller roads peeled off and the tyres span on cars ahead of him. He saw a flock of birds dip down from the skyline, a backdrop of orange silhouetting them. Then, he noticed a sign ahead for Lover’s Lake.

He pulled onto the dirt path; bated breath exhaled, glad to have something to do – other than sitting and letting his worries brew into a storm.

Stones and pebbles crunched beneath the van as he parked up, pulled the keys out of ignition and hopped out of his seat. He began to round the vehicle, grimacing at the many scuffs littering the bodywork, hurriedly looking away and pretending he had not noticed them. This was his philosophy for most things – if he never acknowledged the damage, it did not need to be repaired. He simply lacked the cash to spend on these sorts of things.

He passed through the wall of trees lining the lake, taking in the view. It helped, being out in nature. At least until he noticed someone sitting by the shore.

Eddie had not really considered this. Lover’s Lake had been a frequent date spot for the two of you in the early days of your relationship, but he truly did not expect to see you there, toes dipped in the water.

Not quite sure what to do with himself, he shuffled over to you and clunkily sat himself down, in true, awkward Eddie style, frightening you in the process.

As your eyes looked up at him now, their normal colour was muddied by a sheen of tears, which in turn, made his own well up.

Today he had spent much time thinking, and there was one thing he could not help but realise. His behaviour last night had been undeniably reminiscent of his father - the man he swore to never become. Now, as he perched beside you, he realised something else. In this moment he had the chance to change that, to do something his father never had. Feel.

With that, Eddie tugged you into his arms and before you could tell him off, attempt to remind him that you were not currently on good terms, you felt tears soaking into your collarbone where he had nestled his head.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, body shaking with each sob, “I’m so so sorry, you don’t understand.”

You brought your palm up to the back of his head and reciprocated the embrace.

“You didn’t do anything wrong Eddie, I shouldn’t have been sneaking around,” you reassured, voice matching his, soft in cadence.

“No-“ he pulled away from you now, wiping his face with the sleeve of his shirt- “you were just trying to do something nice, I should’ve trusted you.” He looked you in the eyes, before correcting himself. “I do trust you.”

Your mouth curved up as you smiled, “Do you think we could just call this whole thing over? Maybe?” Your pupils raked over him, overjoyed to see him again. “Like, just go back to how things were before this whole Steve thing?”

Eddie nodded, wild hair bouncing around. He sidled up to you, resting his head on your shoulder again, watching the lake glimmer under the sunset.

You let your own head drop down now, balanced atop of his own.

Your fingers interlaced and a sound broke the silence as you giggled, “Might I ask why you aren’t wearing shoes?”

Tags:

@ali-r3n @ziggeddie @halfburntout @wypascalis @wildaces @lokiscure @justforeddiemunson @korelily

some of you asked to be tagged in part two wayyyyy back when i posted part one in 2022, i wasn’t sure whether to tag you now or not but i just thought why not! i hope you all enjoyed it and thank you so much for supporting me!! 🩷🩷

[georgiapeach30513]

I know you’re past your post limit tonight but you are an unwavering ray of strength and sunshine on here. So calm so chill. That cookie jar though…😏

That being said…are yall not entertained????

For those of you who screamed PR for months (I’m talking about the crazy ones who freak out every five minutes about something new even though they claim they know PR and they know people and have sources (in their own heads LOLOL)) - you want it? YOU GOT IT. It’s been in your face for months and yall still can’t see it?

An article comes out every time ramen breathes. And soba must be inserted. Soba gets articles for IG posts…when does that happen to a third rate noodle brand who can’t even hit 1 million followers after buying bots for two years and marrying the sexiest noodle brand alive? (Just to be extra petty, Jenna Ortega got ten million new followers in a week after Wednesday launched on Netflix (same month someone’s else season two show launched and then got canceled but whoops) and she didn’t marry anybody famous. Soba isn’t even a notable brand in their home country. Soba’s name gets misspelled even in her own movie promo posts. Yet she’s getting us weekly and people articles written about her every movement now? Oh and she’s getting a square on us weekly about celebs who adopted pets - with ramen’s dog even though she didn’t adopt the dog? LOLOLOLOL ok!!

Nobody thinks that’s odd?

I’ll have to admit, I didn’t really want to believe in conspiracy theories for a long time. It felt too delusional and too qanon for me. But after ramen returned to IG and made a post about dogs - a people mag article pops up and inserts a line to make it about soba, unprovoked. Why? Almost like it was intentional to shoehorn soba in. Almost like that’s basically been the MO since this all started. The tabloids have changed but the narrative has not. The rumors turned to confirmation turned to more rumors to more confirmation but never really really by the horse’s mouth except kinda two ceremonies maybe yeah go physical therapy!!

The way that “wedding” announcement launched as an unconfirmed source from page six. Then went immediately viral. After a weekend of extreme social media breadcrumbing…it was almost like watching a puppeteer orchestrate a show in real time. I can’t be the only one…right?

They have continuously gone the route of most resistance repeatedly, for two years - and nobody thinks this is just inane? They are doing this on purpose and the more you overthink it, the more crazy and unsense it will make.

Like you mentioned many times before, people just have to wait and see. And be patient. Try not to overreact over every little thing. (Hard for some, but seriously!)

Fact is: ramen has publicly endorsed soba (well maybe not the name) and they are linked. So until this changes, why wouldn’t you expect soba to be around lurking? Ramen can’t be an investor in a brand and then not show up with it.

Though it would be funny if he was caught eating banza pasta while toting the soba brand, like Britney getting caught ordering a coke while she was a Pepsi girl. 😆

I’m totally half kidding about most of this. But I think you get what I’m trying to put down. Nobody has to agree with me. But the longer this goes, the easier it’s been to look back on how it all started and string the pieces together.

First off are the same anon who has been doing amazing with the pasta analogies?? Because if so can I call you, Mrs. Pasta??

This is what PR looks like. Articles upon articles over nothing. Pushing a name out there for what? You make some excellent points, completely. Now, I’m not confirming or denying anything. Just that this is pointed. The timing is interesting and the entertainment is amazing.

Banza past is an amazing option. Top ramen needs to add a little spice and change. Soba noodles on the regular isn’t good for everyone.

I’m just here ready for the show. I told y’all to keep your eyes open 😉

[jaywaslost]

"Next"

——

This oneshot is a little different from most I've posted, its not the usual concepts I'd say.

Allow me to introduce you to the ✨️Informant au✨️

Basically an au where I merged Blue's old canon occupation with the current canon one, a lot of thought has gone into this I despise anything that opposes canon so I can promise that the au's make-up is as accurate as I could possibly make it.

Without further rambling, I hope you enjoy ✨️

--

Sypnosis:It was a good deal they had, he wouldn’t need to participate in anything and Colton would ensure his safety as long as the other man got the information he wanted.

Word count: 2.2k

--

Blue’s head was pounding.

Mere moments- hours ago he was simply on a walk. His bird was resting, he had just finished cleaning his house and found himself staring up at the ceiling, mind blank with nothing to do. He didn’t have anywhere in mind to go to, nor was there really anyone he found himself tempted to b̶o̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ speak to, the silence was irritating but talking to himself felt stupider than he’d like.

After more contemplation, the man decided going for a breath of fresh air wouldn’t hurt anyone, he’d get to go out and walk around, entertaining himself and getting enough of a distraction to shut his brain up temporarily.

The park was oddly empty, much to his dismay, but it wasn’t something he could fix. The sounds of people talking could always be replaced with music, so that was exactly what he did.

What Blue failed to consider was the significance of that emptiness. He didn’t pay as much attention to the shadows moving around as he should have, the rustling of the bushes brushed off simply as just wind.H̶e̶ k̶n̶e̶w̶ b̶e̶t̶t̶e̶r̶ t̶h̶a̶n̶ t̶h̶i̶s̶, h̶e̶ s̶h̶o̶u̶l̶d̶ h̶a̶v̶e̶ l̶i̶s̶t̶e̶n̶e̶d̶.

Lurking, following him not long behind were some old..familiar faces.

Ones he never planned to cross again for sure, but it seemed like life had different plans.

If it didn’t, he would’ve never found himself in this situation at all. Perhaps it was the music in his ears masking the footsteps, o̶r̶ t̶h̶e̶ d̶i̶s̶a̶s̶s̶o̶c̶i̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ h̶e̶ f̶o̶u̶n̶d̶ h̶i̶m̶s̶e̶l̶f̶ d̶e̶a̶l̶i̶n̶g̶ w̶i̶t̶h̶ r̶e̶c̶e̶n̶t̶l̶y̶, but it was too late to do anything by the time he realized who was on his trail.

The moment they noticed he caught onto their plans, they seemed to stop bothering to hide. Blue did little to stop what he knew was soon to follow.

The men were from a gang he had an..unfortunate encounter with some time ago.

That recklessness was mainly what led him to his current predicament, tied to a chair, watched like a prey waiting to be devoured. To say he didn’t know the reason he was there would be a lie, but his body hurt too much to care. They probably drugged him to loosen his tongue again didn’t they?

The brunette didn’t have too much time to ponder about that, his head was clear enough to process the click of the door. The blond in front of him was exactly who he’d expected, it wasn’t much of a surprise he’d rather make a ‘dramatic entrance’ than simply wait for him to wake up, though.

Despite the pain all over him, he noted that was still relatively unharmed. Probably part of the other one’s orders, their deal never truly ended after all.

Neither of them spoke a word as Colton looked into his eyes, all others previously standing around hung left the moment he stepped into the room. Whether they were dismissed or if it was also another part of his orders, Blue didn’t care enough to think about the answer nor did he listen enough to really tell.

Despite not being the leader of this gang, Colton still held power over everyone. As the son of the boss, his words were not to be refused. The members trusted him, those who didn’t faced consequences. It was simply how things worked. It didn’t matter what they thought or wanted, the final say was his.

Nobody was foolish enough to disobey or look for loopholes, until Blue came along, that was. Up until then, he was in ultimate control. The original reason they crossed paths to begin with was quite clear, but in classic fashion, Blue found himself a multitude of loopholes. Unlike most others, he didn’t hesitate in exploiting them, gaining himself complete freedom and safety in exchange for information.

It was a good deal they had, he wouldn’t need to participate in anything and Colton would ensure his safety as long as the other man got the information he wanted. It may have sounded unfair, seeing Blue got protection and had no real ties to the gang. His hands were left clean, c̶l̶e̶a̶n̶ a̶s̶ t̶h̶e̶y̶ c̶o̶u̶l̶d̶ b̶e̶ f̶o̶r̶ s̶o̶m̶e̶o̶n̶e̶ w̶h̶o̶ p̶u̶s̶h̶e̶d̶ h̶i̶s̶ b̶r̶o̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ t̶o̶ h̶i̶s̶ d̶e̶a̶t̶h̶, and he got complete freedom only in exchange for some intel! Easy for someone like him.

O̶r̶, i̶t̶ w̶a̶s̶ g̶o̶o̶d̶ u̶p̶ u̶n̶t̶i̶l̶ t̶h̶e̶ d̶a̶y̶ B̶l̶u̶e̶ s̶t̶o̶p̶p̶e̶d̶ r̶e̶s̶p̶o̶n̶d̶i̶n̶g̶, a̶t̶ l̶e̶a̶s̶t̶. S̶i̶n̶c̶e̶ t̶h̶e̶n̶, t̶h̶e̶y̶'v̶e̶ k̶e̶p̶t̶ t̶a̶b̶s̶ o̶n̶ h̶i̶m̶. H̶e̶ s̶a̶w̶ t̶h̶e̶ w̶a̶y̶ p̶e̶o̶p̶l̶e̶ w̶e̶r̶e̶ s̶e̶n̶t̶ t̶o̶ w̶a̶t̶c̶h̶ h̶i̶m̶, k̶e̶e̶p̶ t̶r̶a̶c̶k̶ o̶f̶ h̶i̶s̶ a̶c̶t̶i̶v̶i̶t̶y̶, r̶e̶a̶d̶y̶ t̶o̶ s̶t̶r̶i̶k̶e̶ i̶f̶ t̶h̶e̶y̶ d̶e̶t̶e̶r̶m̶i̶n̶e̶d̶ h̶e̶ w̶a̶s̶ d̶o̶i̶n̶g̶ a̶n̶y̶t̶h̶i̶n̶g̶ t̶h̶a̶t̶ c̶o̶u̶l̶d̶ e̶n̶d̶a̶n̶g̶e̶r̶ t̶h̶e̶m̶.

Their breaths being the only sound in the room made his ears ring, though fortunately it seemed like Colton planned to change that soon. Backing away from him, the other straightened his back without cutting off eye contact, it looked like he still wanted to try uncovering all it was that made up Blue. He always found it funny, the way the other would try to intimidate him by trying to make himself look like an equal, like he could read him similar to a book when they both knew that was something that would never work.

“So” he began, “do you know why you’re here, or do you need someone to spell it out for you?” If the man sounded irritated with him before, it paled in comparison to his current attitude.

“I’m afraid you’ll have to elaborate? It’s been a long time since we met you know, I’m in an awful lot of pain and your lakeys weren’t gentle with me either” Blue drew out. They both knew that was a lie, but it was a natural part of the game they’ve long since known to play.

“Recently, one of our most important spies was discovered,” the blond answered. “She was ambushed by a soldier sent by the Justice Reigns minutes after we had her go out”

“And that links with me how? Did you just want to see me agai-”

Teasing the other in hopes of distracting him was a bad choice, Blue was aware of that. The sounds of a gun being loaded graced his ears, though fear remained dormant. This was merely another intimidation tactic, he was too important to simply kill and it would get too much attention if he disappeared at random, especially now of all times.

“Cut the shit. You are the only person who could have known she was there at all, so tell me, what have you been telling that new boyfriend of yours?” he spat.

Blue raised a brow, feigning confusion before it ‘clicked’ in his head. Colton was only getting angrier as time passed.

“Ah, Dream! No no, you misunderstand really. I didn’t know she was there at all, this is all news to me he must have simply sensed her presence and sent someone, Ink is good at following trails after all” he winked.

“I never told you who it was”

“Even a toddler could make a guess and get it right, there are only two people he would trust with something like this and only a spy can take out another without drawing attention don’t you think?”

With that, Colton went silent, seemingly considering something new. Whenever they spoke, he tended to do this if he felt cornered. When Blue disproved everything he suspected in seconds, all of his defenses fell knowing this was someone he couldn’t play to his will.

Not like others, where simple words got to their heads, made them believe he held them truly dear, that he gave a single damn about them in any form. It was entertaining, an addicting play for the man, but despite how beneficial it was for him, how easy it was the first time, he could never replicate it on Blue.

A shame, he’d have been just as, if not more useful if making him stay was just that easy. Colton didn’t doubt that they’d have gotten along if they both agreed to stay, extraordinary talents simply tend to gravitate to each other eventually.

I̶f̶ t̶h̶e̶ o̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ o̶n̶e̶ l̶e̶f̶t̶ w̶h̶e̶n̶ h̶e̶ g̶o̶t̶ t̶h̶e̶ c̶h̶a̶n̶c̶e̶, w̶h̶a̶t̶ w̶a̶s̶ B̶l̶u̶e̶ p̶l̶o̶t̶t̶i̶n̶g̶?̶ w̶h̶a̶t̶ w̶a̶s̶ h̶e̶ p̶l̶a̶n̶n̶i̶n̶g̶ t̶h̶a̶t̶ m̶a̶d̶e̶ h̶i̶m̶ s̶t̶a̶y̶?̶ h̶e̶ c̶o̶u̶l̶d̶ h̶a̶v̶e̶ l̶e̶f̶t̶ f̶a̶r̶ s̶o̶o̶n̶e̶r̶, h̶e̶ w̶a̶s̶ m̶o̶r̶e̶ t̶h̶a̶n̶ c̶a̶p̶a̶b̶l̶e̶ o̶f̶ e̶n̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ e̶v̶e̶r̶y̶t̶h̶i̶n̶g̶ f̶o̶r̶ t̶h̶e̶m̶ i̶n̶ a̶ m̶o̶m̶e̶n̶t̶, b̶u̶t̶ s̶o̶ w̶e̶r̶e̶ t̶h̶e̶y̶ a̶b̶l̶e̶ t̶o̶ t̶a̶k̶e̶ h̶i̶s̶ l̶i̶f̶e̶ a̶n̶d̶ s̶i̶l̶e̶n̶c̶e̶ h̶i̶m̶ f̶o̶r̶e̶v̶e̶r̶. A̶ s̶h̶a̶m̶e̶ h̶e̶ s̶e̶e̶m̶e̶d̶ t̶o̶ a̶l̶r̶e̶a̶d̶y̶ a̶c̶c̶o̶u̶n̶t̶ f̶o̶r̶ t̶h̶a̶t̶, i̶n̶v̶o̶l̶v̶i̶n̶g̶ h̶i̶m̶s̶e̶l̶f̶ w̶i̶t̶h̶ t̶h̶e̶ m̶o̶s̶t̶ i̶m̶p̶o̶r̶t̶a̶n̶t̶ f̶i̶g̶u̶r̶e̶ i̶n̶ t̶h̶e̶ m̶u̶l̶t̶i̶v̶e̶r̶s̶e̶.

“If not you, then who? what are you planning”

Simple, straight forward, plain.

Everything Blue expected from him.

“I’m not planning on anything? Why would I do that?” He shrugged. Well, as much as one could when bound down by ropes.

“The only reason I have kept you alive is because you’re useful, it’s just as easy to find someone else who could do the exact same things you do even better so lying and playing this stupid game of yours is a bad idea. I’ve warned you before and this is the last ti-”

“Except you won’t.”

At being cut off, Colton only paused and glared daggers into the other, seemingly daring him to continue.

“You won’t kill me because you know that it’s not that simple, you know that my death is too inconvenient for you now, too hard to fake”

Silence.

Saying that Blue didn’t enjoy the way the other looked when out of options would be a lie, when control was stripped from him and manipulation failed. Without his two most important defenses, his shield fell apart like a house of cards.

For someone meant to be scary, Blue had grown to find him closer to funny.

He was smart, he’d give him that much, but people weren’t his strong suit. W̶h̶a̶t̶ h̶y̶p̶o̶c̶r̶i̶s̶y̶, i̶t̶ t̶a̶k̶e̶s̶ o̶n̶e̶ t̶o̶ k̶n̶o̶w̶ o̶n̶e̶. Growing up in a gang, pressure to be like this from your only parent to prove yourself worthy enough to take his place does that to a man. Not much to dwell on, though, it was his own fault he succumbed to this. If not, then his sister must have been a saint to not fall to the same fate.

That sweet child- Blue had only crossed Camille twice, but it was enough for him to know this was not the place for her. Well, not like it was fit for any kid her age- but that wasn’t something in his control. She’ll get herself out with some assistance, but he wasn’t needed there.

He wasn't really surprised by the way this encounter transpired, seeing the real head of the group wasn't present made things a lot easier for him. For all he puts up, the one in front of him was quite easy to get to. Although that may just be because of how simple it was to get past his walls, a jaded man but not like those types ever posed any issues.

Blue may have been the first person that came to his mind when trying to discern what gave them away, but it was just as likely he wouldn’t be the last.

They had many enemies who wanted to run them into the ground no matter the cost, anyway.

“If the point of this entire show you’ve put up was to blame me for ratting you out, I’m afraid you worked this hard for nothing. I’m sure you’ve figured I want nothing to do with you anymore?”

The blond’s gaze burned holes into his head once again, but Blue ignored him as he had every other time before.

“If you suspect someone to have done so, you and I both know where you should be looking instead” he carried on, “or maybe, it wasn’t an outer source at all”

“Continue.”

Colton’s voice was demanding, threatening, impatient. If it were anyone else, this conversation would have been long over, but unfortunately it still was not.

“You know, I’ve been hearing things”

The other tapped his foot.

“She could have done that herself. At least, that's what a fool may think. The ones you send to watch me are not as discreet as you want them to be, they are not as dedicated as they want you to believe”

“What are you insinuating”

Another way to say ‘choose your next words carefully before I run your head into the ground’, lovely.

“I simply mean that the one who caused this may be closer to you than you think.”

“Something- someone, has infiltrated us?”

Ah, he didn’t consider that, did he? Blue could laugh if not for the increasing tension.

“All I have to add is instead of accusing me of getting her killed, you should be worrying about whether or not I am next”

Bringing attention to his previous involvement with them was unwise, it put both their lives on the line. The brunette relished watching how the other’s expression fell as he desperately tried to piece together a plan, thinking of every possible suspect. That kind of thing was always left to him, the shorter unable to do that kind of thing very well, hard to blame him when all he knew was to dispose of people on the spot and then think, but oh well.

The distraction finally allowed him to untie the knot positioned right above his hands. Terrible craftsmanship, he must say.

His wrists burned by this point, adding to just how uncomfortable he felt in his body at that moment though for a different reason than usual, for once.

He dug his own grave getting involved with this group of individuals, but he will not let them take him to it.

--

No, Camille isn't a canon character. No, she doesn't have much plot relevance, Asuka and I thought Colton needed more to his family dynamic and its beneficial for writing purposes so we decided to have her exist only as a plot device. Noooothing more-

[callmeklair]

Cinderella

okay so this got really really long so I had to shift the behind the scenes part for another post at last moment. Also I'm really sorry for how long this might look, I did try to edit it in small font but it was just unreadable so yeah >.<

[no beta because me is sick]

prepare yourselves for a ride. also special mention to @its-irsaa-fyp because our random midnight talk brought this au to life

hope you guys enjoy it ^^

this story revolves around a kind-hearted and beautiful girl named Yui Komori who lives with her stepmother and stepsisters. Her own mother died a long time ago, and father just met with an accident recently while on his way to travel.

???: oh~ cinderella~! cinderella~~!— Yui! Yui!

???: where did she disappear!? me and teddy are starving! is she still asleep!!?

unfortunately for Yui, her stepmother and stepsisters were not that welcoming as from the start they referred to her as Cinderella.

"someone or something that is given little attention or care, especially less than they deserve"

to mock her.

Yui: *sigh* they are at it again.

Yui stretched her sleepy arms as the birds started singing to awaken her and her favorite three mice pulled away the blanket to snuggle on her lap to get some morning pats.

these animals were the only ones who took care of her in this cold and insufferable household.

one of the three mices suddenly spoke to get Yui's attention.

Azusa: why… don't you just… run away from here?

Ruki: Azusa, it's not that easy for humans to run away like us animals. they need backup and basic requirements before moving away to guarantee their safety and survival.

Yuma: sheesh, glad I'm a mouse. if only you had done some good deeds in your previous life, then you would have been a mouse like us, Yui.

Yui chuckled at Yuma's comment and shook her head which made him blush. was it out of embarrassment or shyness? nobody knows. well of course except his brothers Ruki and Azusa.

Ruki: you should leave, before they barge into your room and mess it up like last time.

Yui: right! you are right! I'll see you guys later, take care until then.

she kissed each mice' head and left.

Ayato: what took you so long!? yours truly is starving!

Yui: I'm sorry stepmother, this won't happen again.

Ayato: you said that last time too!

Laito: now now mother, please let it be. poor Cinderella needs her beauty sleep too. After all, I'm pretty sure you won't want an ugly little thing with dark circles lurking around the house like a ghost while doing her chores. it'll be unsightly.

Kanato: as much as I hate her for making me and teddy wait, I agree with laito. it'll be really unpleasant to watch her like that. her pretty average looks are the only thing that is keeping me sane as I watch her face everyday while walking around the house. she's already ugly, don't make it worse.

Ayato: tch, you two. fine, you are spared this time on my daughters' request. but now… you have already wasted our precious time, go make the breakfast and, I don't think I need to repeat about your daily chores.

Yui: understood.

she bowed her head to them like a daily routine and went to the kitchen to make breakfast.

later during the meal, while she was serving their breakfast something in their conversation perked her up

Ayato: we have received an invitation from our monarch for the prestigious royal ball that is going to be held in five days. it is rumored that the prince is looking for a wife through this occasion and will make her his queen after taking over the throne.

Laito: ah that sounds so wonderful! but why throw a ball when he can marry a very influential family and also, in the future he is destined to marry a lot of women to stabilize his kingdom. ah~ I really wanted to become his one and only.

Kanato: try getting out of your genius fantasies and assumptions, he'll never marry someone like you even if he wants to keep only one wife. I'm more suitable. me and teddy. right teddy?

Ayato: that's the thing. the current prince only wants to have one wife on his side who'll help him run the kingdom through her ideas and opinions too and not just influence.

Laito: hmmm isn't the king, the current prince's older brother who is still single and healthy, still ruling the kingdom. why will they look for a wife for the prince and not the king?

Ayato: dunno, probably not interested in marriages. and about the prince, he doesn't look like he has any intention to take over the kingdom but who knows what goes around in politics. definitely why they are looking for a wife for him due to this.

Laito: awww man, I thought if not prince then I could get a chance with the king as a backup but looks like I'll have to rely on my natural beauty and talent to press my presence into the prince's heart.

Kanato: gross.

Yui: can I join the ball too? I promise I'll complete all the chores! I'll clean the house to it's finest, laundry your clothes, iron them, and make your favorite foods. Everything.

The three's eyes widened at her request.

Kanato: what made you think, a mere incompetent average mediocre women like you can attend with us—!

Ayato: Kanato. it's alright.

the stepmother stopped her youngest child's tantrum and turned to Yui with an evil smile.

Ayato: fine. I'll let you join us-

Kanato & Laito: mother!

Ayato: shush. I'm still speaking. so Yui, you can join us… only if you complete all the listed chores I give you everyday.

Yui: that's alright with me! thank you!

Ayato: don't thank me so soon. you even have not started working on the chores yet.

the evil smile just grew wider. but Yui chose to ignore it and left the dining area to start preparing for her chores.

Laito: mother?

Ayato: you guys are worrying too much, she doesn't even have proper clothes except those rags. and to think about going to the ball without a proper dress? fufu she'll either be kicked out or made a laughing stock. but I'm pretty sure she won't be even able to step out of this house, as that much of the task and chores will be given to her from me.

on the corner, the three mice were watching the whole ordeal and Yuma just grew angry at the insolent behavior of these people towards Yui and her pure wish & will to go to the ball.

Yuma: those damn bastards- that stepmother is definitely planning something evil. the wickedness is in the air, I can't breathe anymore ugh!

Azusa: Ruki… we need to protect her and help her prepare for the ball.

Ruki: that's right! let's have a talk with her first and see what she is planning for the ball.

the three mice left the scene and went to their Yui.

Yuma: Yui! Yui! what are your plans for the ball?

Yui: ..! you guys know?

Ruki: of course we do, we are mice. our ears are everywhere.

Yui: oh I see. Well I of course don't have a dress so I'm planning to make one, I still have one of my mother's dresses which I can try to remake using various accessories and jewels.

Ruki: is that the pink one you showed a long time ago?

Yui: yes that's the one.

Yuma: then we'll help you remake it! you know those smelly wicked people are definitely planning something unpleasant and difficult for you.

Yui: Shush Yuma, that's not how you talk about people, especially behind their backs. and I'll really appreciate your guys' help my sweet adorable mice.

She rubbed their heads and ruffled around their chin to gesture her gratitude.

the three of them purred.

Now Yui was busy doing all her listed difficult and nasty chores. her stepmother really didn't want her to come so badly that she stooped so low in giving chores.

While on the other hand, the mice called for the birds and explained to them about the situation. Upon hearing this, the birds whistled and called more of their friends from the forest behind the house and with this, all of them proceeded to make a dress for Yui, so beautiful that even the prince will not be able to get up after falling from looking at her. not from the floor, not from his affection.

Days passed and the time for the ball was here. But Yui didn't look very excited as in the past few days, her stepmother really gave her so many tasks that she didn't even get the time to touch her mother's dress. The moment she'll complete those tasks and go to her room in the attic, she'll fall on the bed and sleep due to all the tiredness.

Yui:....! huh! How is this-!

Yuma • Azusa • Ruki • animals: surprise!

Yui was in awe and in tears as she saw the most beautiful dress she has ever seen in her whole life. These animals really remade the old dress into something new with their tiny hands, paws and beaks. She repeatedly thanked them as she stepped forward and took the dress to try it out.

Yuma: You look gorgeous!

Azusa: pretty!

Ruki: As expected, my imagination was on point.

Yui: you guys are really really adorable! I love you so much.

*church bell rings from afar*

Yui: oh no! it's almost time for the ball, I'm leaving. love you guys.

Ruki: we'll escort you out.

Yui and her companions moved to the door just when the stepmother and the stepsisters were about to leave.

Yui: wait, I'm coming too!

The three of them turned around and looked enraged at her beautiful sight.

blinded by jealousy, the sisters tore Yui's dress saying the jewels on her dress resemble their belongings as the mother just watched.

Yui: … why?

she was on the brink of tears.

Ayato: just cause'.

with that they left.

finally the tears poured from her eyes, she didn't want to cry in front of them to fuel their enjoyment more, and ran away from the scene.

the mice followed her, angry yet they couldn't do anything. if only they were human. if only.. if only… if only…

*magical noises*

???: I hear desperate wishes.

mice: !!!

Yui, who was crying on the bench, suddenly looked up and saw a handsome black haired man with pale magenta eyes wearing glasses in a…. blue gown?

Yui: you are?

???: Reiji. Your fairy godmother.

Yui: …

Reiji: what?

Yui: I think I'm hallucinating due to crying too much.

Reiji: and what is that supposed to mean?

Yui: aren't fairy godmothers females?

Reiji: ….

Yui: ….

Reiji: are you…

Yui: ?

Reiji: Are you doubting my profession? Do you know how hard it is to work in this profession? The ethics and norms says nothing about specific gender in this field. What is this gender discrimination!? Can't believe in this time and era, there will be people who'll show such impudent and narrow minded thinking. I knew it, I was born in the wrong generation.

Yui never expected that her simple question would end up with her getting a whole lecture.

Reiji: good grief *sigh* you are helpless.

Yui: isn't that why you are here?

Reiji: now miss mam, I think you don't know how the fairy godmother system works. We-

Yui: another one. here we go (⁠╥▽╥⁠)

Yui: okay okay, I understand.

Reiji: you better.

Yui: So why are you here?

Reiji: to help you out of course. I heard your deepest desires and wishes from far away. and as a compassionate person* I'm here to fulfill your dreams.

*compassionate person X

because it is my profession. ✓

Yui: really? but how?

Reiji: We can start with that dress of yours.

Reiji took out a white wand from his sleeves as he performed the spell bibidi babidi boo and transformed Yui's dress into a beautiful sparkly silver gown with glass heels while also styling her hair with jewels and sparkles.

Yui: oh my gosh! you are amazing.

Reiji: keke, of course. I'm an expert in my profession, as expected of me. hmm but there's still something amiss.

Yui: how am I supposed to go to the ball? on heels?

Reiji: right! that was what it was missing.

Reiji danced his wand again as he turned a full grown pumpkin, from the corner, into a carriage.

Reiji: perfect. now we are ready.

Yui: who is going to drive it?

Reiji: those three mice glaring at me from the start.

Yui turned at the direction of Reiji's stare and saw her companions glaring daggers. But such thing was completely normal for Reiji as he danced his wand again and turned the mice into humans.

*poof*

Azusa: we are…

Ruki: humans now.

Reiji: for now. Listen to me and remember one thing very carefully, once the clock strikes midnight, my spell will be lifted and everything will be turned back to how it was i.e. your torn dress, pumpkin, mice, everything and everyone.

Yui: I understand, thank you so much.

Yuma: ugh this body is tall, why am I the only one like this!?

Yui: if only you would have done some good deeds.

Yui joked around repeating Yuma's comment from that day and the latter in turn grew more furious.

Reiji: bickering for later. the ball is starting soon. now if you don't want my precious energy and stamina I invested in you to go to waste. Please.

Yui: wait! what if my stepmother and stepsisters recognize me!? it'll be over for me.

Reiji: ah that's true, let me cast another enchanting spell on you which will act like an illusion.

he danced his wand again.

Reiji double checked and made sure everything is at point and now

he pointed at the carriage door's direction, impatient for them to leave. He had to go fill in his reports as early as possible to get some increment.

The three mice, now humans, discussed something among themselves and decided that Ruki & Azusa will be the escorts while Yuma will be the driver.

before Yuma could argue more, Yui looked at him with hopeful eyes and he wasn't able to say anything.

Without anymore further ado, they left for the ball.

———————x

Subaru: tch. I'm not dealing with this nonsense anymore! 

Inside the ballroom, Subaru was starting to get frustrated in the upper room, where royals watch the people from above. 

Just a few hours ago, Shu, his older brother, the current king, lazily barged into his room and dropped the bomb that the ball was actually being held to find a bride for him. Until now he was just kept in the dark and was only told that a royal ball will be held for political purposes and so he assumed that it must be something to do with his king position but now this… this was frustrating.

All he could see was disgusting coaxing of females and the nobles trying to get their daughter with the prince. It got worse when suddenly a maiden with reddish brown hair and green eyes winked at him and 'nfu'-ed at him. Right now Subaru was running away from that maiden and successfully managed to ditch him. 

Subaru sighed as took in the familiar scenario of the grand corridors of this spacious castle. 

Subaru: tch. well now that I'm here, might as well roam around and cool myself down until that brother of mine and his followers drag me into this whole set-up mess again. 

Subaru walked but tensed up when he saw a beautiful gown. 

Subaru: not another one

He looked around to find a hiding spot until..

Subaru: …..! 

Subaru: she is ethereal

no no no, that shouldn't change his decision as he has already seen some beautiful/pretty faces tonight trying to suck him up, be it by their own will or their family's will. 

he shouldn't stop himself just because of an ethereal looking woman. but it was too late, she already saw him.

???: uhm hello? uh, do you know the direction of the ballroom? I'm kind of lost here. 

It looks like she didn't recognise, good for him. But sooner she might if someone from palace suddenly shows up and reveals his identity because of the formalities. 

Subaru: You are? 

Yui: oh… uh I was supposed to attend the ball with my family but due to cho— circumstances I wasn't able to depart with them on time.

She really let herself be open around and introduce herself without any hesitation. such a vulnerable prey. 

Subaru: let me do the honor and take you.

Yui: you will? thank you! 

the little rabbit has fallen into the hands of a beast. 

Yui: oh right! what is your name? Need to know your name to express my gratitude later for your each and every help. 

Subaru: Subaru. 

Yui: I see…

Subaru didn't say his full name because he didn't want his cover to be lifted, at least not yet especially when he gets to see her such beautiful smile making her eyes shape into alluring crescents.

He silently took her to the ballroom, so that people wouldn't notice him and expose him. 

Yui came back to her senses from her daze of taking in the marvelous interior of the palace when she realized that Subaru had taken her to the dance floor and both of them were waltzing now. 

Yui: S-subaru-kun!?

Subaru: shh. 

Yui blushes as she finally takes in his appearance illuminated by the golden lights of the ball room and how dazzling he looked with that silver pink hair and his scarlet eyes. 

Subaru wanted to quietly enjoy his moment with this ethereal girl he just met. He wanted to know more about her. He wanted to make her his own. He was intrigued. her soft expressions, her soft voice, her smile, her vulnerability, everything. He wanted to know them deeply. 

As Subaru and Yui were enjoying their peaceful dance with love filled eyes looking into each other with the desire to get to know each other more, Yui's stepmother and stepsisters were seen from afar as Ayato looked carefully and started to doubt how much the girl dancing with the prince looked familiar.

Ayato: No it can't be her, she doesn't even have a dress and the one she has we destroyed it. must be some other girl looking like her. 

Meanwhile Shu watched the scene in front of him unfold and sighs following with a lazy but genuine smile, glad that his younger brother finally found someone for him. With Subaru's past and his mental health condition this past few weeks, Shu decided to look for someone who'll help his brother out. 

Time passed and Yui and Subaru were at the balcony at the end of the ballroom to get some fresh air and get to each other. the more they talked to each other, the more they found each other falling for the other person. At first it was a little awkward so they started with random small talks and in between Subaru finally revealed his true identity. Yui was shocked and tried to bow curtly as she started being formal but Subaru stopped her. 

He wanted to spend time with her as a normal person. 

Has it been an hour or two since they started talking? Subaru doesn't know and doesn't care, the only thing that matters to him is the girl in front of him. At first he just wanted to see what she was capable of when she so openly left herself in his care, a beast's care. but now, there's more to it. 

He stepped forward and circles his arm around her waist pulling her closer. Yui squeaked at his sudden movement. Shy, she asked him what he was doing but instead of a reply she was met with a closer image of his face and realized their lips were getting closer. He didn't wait or hesitate as he landed a kiss on her lips in his daze of watching her intensely. 

At first Yui didn't know what to do as her heart and mind were saying different things. In the end she kissed him back, entangling her hands in his soft hair.

it went on for a few minutes as each second Subaru would try pulling himself closer to her or pulling Yui closer to him to deepen the kiss. 

Yui slowly opened her eyes to try parting with him to catch a breath but her eyes flew open when her gaze fell on the watch behind Subaru.

Yui: shoot! it's going to be midnight in 10 minutes. 

Yui's slowly pushed Subaru away who looked surprised. 

Yui: I'm sorry, but I need to go, it's getting late.

Subaru: it's alright, I'll order my people to drop you at your home so it won't matter.

Yui: no! i mean it's alright, i won't want to trouble you, your high-

Subaru: I told you to drop the formalities. and, it's not troublesome.

what should she do? if she stays here any longer her illusionary dress and everything will be exposed and she is worried if the connection they have until now, will it disappear if Subaru sees her true form?

Yui apologizes again as she slowly gets out of Subaru's grip and runs for the main gate to leave. Subaru shouted for her to wait for him and followed after her. Yui was rushing and rushing when suddenly Subaru caught her hand stopping her in her tracks at the stairs of the main gate.

Yui looked at the watch, terrified she gently held his hand and got her hand out and rushed again.a pologizing to him while running away.

and also, dropping one of her glass shoes on the stairs on the way. she did stop in her tracks to go above and pick it up but decided not to as the watch ticked over and over again in her ears, like a warning.

Subaru: wait! you never told me your name!

subaru cried out, but it was already too late as Yui had already disappeared, only her forgotten glass show left behind. picking it up, Subaru decided to find the girl no matter what. his determination through the roof.

Next morning, Subaru's bestie, Kou visited him after hearing about the rumors of his dearest friend being seen with a girl and looking at her with love filled eyes.

Subaru was already frustrated at Kou's arrival but started gritting his teeth at the non-stop blabber and teasing of the latter man in front of him.

Kou: aww c'mon man, you can't keep your bestie in the dark!

Subaru: who are you calling your friend!? i don't ever remember having such a relationship with you!

Kou: Hey Subaru-kun! you hurt me. I have been your reading partner since we were ten.

Subaru ignored Kou's annoying chatter, as he gazed at the glass show in his hand. oh how so badly he wanted to find her and keep her to himself. He swore he wouldn't let her get out of his grip anymore.

…!?

was he becoming possesive? even Subaru was shocked at his thoughts.

Shu: stop looking at it like that. The girl won't magically appear out of nowhere if you keep glaring at it.

Shu has entered the room.

Shu: I'll help you find her.

He gestures his hand at three men behind him to take the shoes and leave for the town to find the girl whose foot fits in the shoe.

Subaru recognised the three men as Shu's loyal followers from the start and also his reading partners. Kino, Shin and Carla.

Thus, he let the shoe go because he trusted in their methods and resources.

Kino: just wait for us~

Kino winked at Subaru, and Shin sighed complaining about the enthusiasm.

Shin: how are you guys so sure that this shoe will only fit one lady? There can be many people.

Subaru: the size of the shoe.. is very small. Kou has the smallest shoe size among us all and this shoe is even smaller than that, making it a very rare case.

Kou: Subaru stop exposing me!

Subaru ignored his friend's glaring as Carla nodded, understanding something.

Carla: in other words, the one whose foot glides in this shoe swiftly is the true owner.

Subaru: yes.

and so began the search for the girl that has mesmerized the prince of the kingdom and it didn't take long for the rumors to reach every household. even where Yui lives.

Ayato was in Yui's room, suspicious. Totally suspicious. No matter how much he thinks about it, the girl he saw yesterday doesn't sit right with him as a stranger. he looked around her room, and finally found it. the glass shoe! under her bed.

Ayato: che, I knew it. that cunning fox.

at the same time, Yui entered the room to make sure her glass slipper was still there as the people from the palace were coming & this was her chance to finally meet Subaru again. but the moment she saw Ayato, she was on alert. but it was too late as Ayato smirked while dancing the glass shoe in his hand.

Yui tensed as she stepped forward to take it form Ayato's hand but the latter just extended his hand above and because of the height difference Yui was left helpless.

Ayato: very smart huh? trying to get the prince to you. How did you do it? the dress? how did you reach there when it was already too late to reach in time by walking?

Yui remained silent.

Ayato: no answer huh? fine, for such disrespect, you'll be locked in your room for the meantime.

Yui: no you can't do that!

Ayato: Oh I can, just watch me. those people from the palace will never be able to find you.

with that ayato rushed and locked the door, trapping Yui in.

Ayato: Laito! Kanato! prepare yourselves, the prince is coming! you guys must do whatever you can to get the shoe fit your foot.

Laito • Kanato: Yes, mother.

Meanwhile, trapped Yui cries on the edge of her bed as she remembers how on the way back, it was already midnight and on the way back everything turned back to how it was, just like Reiji said.

except that one glass slipper on her feet still remaining intact.

how? was it because they were seperated? at first Yui was scared that the moment midnight hits the shoe under Subaru's care will turn back to normal and he will start doubting her, making them never meet again. but that wasn't the case as the shoes still remain as how they were.

No matter how much Yui thought it over, nothing explained the logic behind the shoes remaining the same. but at the same time, this gave her hope to meet him again. to meet Subaru again.

the mice notices this and planned to free Yui from the room, but how?

suddenly Ruki perks up as he comes up with a plan to take the key from Ayato's pocket.

The time was here, the people from the palace were here. and… the Prince was also along with them?

Carla: are you three the only people here?

Ayato: yes.

Carla: alright then.

the shoe fitting trial was starting, after going house to house and no one fitting the shoe, this was the only last house left. Subaru was starting to get impatient but he was determined to find her even if she turns out to be from another kingdom.

Meanwhile the mice parted themselves as Azusa went to steal the glass shoes from Ayato's locker. All three of them were glad to be mice as they can use their origin skills to help Yui out.

While Ruki and Yuma slowly approached Ayato and through tricks managed to get the key.

before ayato could notice it was too late, Ruki and Yuma already left and so did Azusa successfully managed to get the glass slipper.

the commotion here was too noisy for him to notice sooner.

Kino: god we don't even need to try the fitting here, it's obvious it won't fit.

Kino cried out the moment he sees the difference in the the glass shoe and the feet of laito.

Ignoring him, Laito still tried it out but as Kino said, it was really really big, no matter how much he tried to fit it in.

Shin: you are going to break it!

Kanato: leave it you pervert! I'll try!

Kanato pushed Laito off the chair and sat himself down, ready to try out the shoe.

Shin: shortie stop! even though you are smaller than him, you are also really big for the glass shoe!

Kanato: who are you calling shortie! WHO ARE YOU—

Ayato: ahem.

Ayato hushed Kanato as the prince was in the room. they cannot take any risk.

On the other hand the three mice finally freed Yui and gave her shoe back.

Yui hurried out and reached downstairs just when the palace people were about to leave.

Yui: wait, I'm here!

they turned back at the newcomer.

Subaru: you said you guys were only three!?

Subaru looks at the girl and the moment he sees her, he senses her. it's her! he rushed to her who was still running down the stairs and caught her in his arms in the form of a hug.

He didn't need that stupid shoe fitting trial to know if the girl he spent last night talking with is her or not. It's her. He can feel it. the warmth, the expressions, the tone. It's her!

Yui hugs him back for few seconds before pushing his shoulder gently to present the glass slipper. he other pair.

Shin: that shoe!

Ayato: Your highness, please listen to this subject. She is nothing but just a mere maid. There's no way she can be involved in matters like prestigious balls. I have no idea how she got that pair of shoe.

Carla: It doesn't matter who she is. you defied the orders, and on top of that lied to his highness. This matter won't go unnoticed and will be reported to the King immediately. Shin.

Shin: on my way ~

Yui: wait! please don't.

Kino: huh? are you saying?

Yui: yes. even though they, well they didn't treat me rightfully, I still don't want to become the reason for their demise. No matter what, everybody deserves a second chance.

Shin: hehe, you guys will be grateful for your life.

Kino snatched the shoes from Kanato's hands and gave it to Subaru.

and after taking the pair of shoes from both Yui and kino, the silver haired man bent down on his one knee and swiftly lifted Yui's feet one by one to slide the shoes.

they fit!

Subaru couldn't be any happier. she was finally his.

Yui hugged Subaru and both of them merrily smiled & laughed to be with each other again.

the glass shoes suddenly starts glowing and turns into dust. that dust soon forms a figure of a beautiful man who introduces himself as karlheinz and says

Karlheinz: Adam and Eve have been found in this universe too, my job is done.

And then disappears again by forming into dust before anyone could say anything.

Shin: what the hell!? what was that just now!? I have heard about fairies, but that was one scary and creepy one, if he was even one.

Kino • Carla: Adam and Eve?

Yui: is that why the shoes remained intact till the end even when the fairy godmother Reiji's spell was lifted at midnight?

even though the mystery about the shoes is solved, the more Yui thinks about it, the creepier it gets, especially how she wore those shoes all the time during the ball and when she was with Subaru…

Yui: don't tell me he witnessed everything…

Subaru realized what Yui was talking about but he can't also fall in the mood. he lifted her up as he gave the most genuine bright smile.

Subaru: Yui will you marry me?

Yui was surprised at the sudden proposal and cried the tears of happiness as she repeatedly said yes to him.

————————x

The wedding bells rang as Subaru and Yui exited the chapel after completing their wedding vows. everyone in the town came to pay their respects and give blessings to the newly married couple. the prince and the princess. The mice were throwing petals from the basket as they watched their Yui finally being happy.

Subaru lifted Yui in the bridal style, causing her to become shy for the nth time and ofc it doesn't goes unnoticed by Subaru.

Subaru: hehe, you should get used to such stuff now because I'll be loving you seven days a week. monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday, saturday, sunday. 24/7.

Yui blushes more as Subaru walks down the stairs and enters the carriage.

He sets Yui down and leaned in to kiss her as curtains fell.

[moonspirit]

Moon, hello-hello 💚🌿

Hope you're doing well, and sending you some (⁠*⁠＾⁠3⁠＾⁠)⁠/⁠～❄️❄️ for the Christmas mood~

So, about the Christmas mood... What are your thoughts on Ambassadors Christmas "party" (in quotes because I don't think they would do as "party-party", you know, but I have no idea how to make it otherwise...) ?

What do you think they would gift each other, how would they spend their time? Knowing this chaotic team, some hilarious stuff would totally happen :D

Anyway, I hope you'll have fun with this, and have wonderful *timezone*, Moon (⁠っ⁠˘⁠з🌖 ⁠)

Hello Anna chan :3 Thank you so much for asking me this because HAHAA I had a complete laughter fit thinking of how fucking WRONG the Ambassador's first Christmas is going to go xD

For starters I'm just going to assume the Paradis boys are new to the concept of Christmas and that they celebrated something different back in Paradis during the winter. So, Santa Claus? Never heard of him but omg, seems like a great guy! How do we sign up for presents?!!!!

(Pieck tells them they have to become members of the Elven Association first and sends them on a wild-goose chase around town to find the Elven Lord for the sole benefit of her entertainment)

Reiner meanwhile, makes the mistake of taking up the role of Local Santa Claus for the kids in the neighbourhoods, and honestly? fair? The dude is LORGE and can do a great HO HO HO. Giving him a pillow-belly and an itchy beard turns out to be the best idea the local government has ever come up with in its 300 year history of failure.

However... it is a mistake. Dude is LORGE, remember? His first delivery and he gets stuck in a chimney.

In the middle of the Christmas market, Annie, hoping to be left alone in undisturbed peace and a chance to try out the sweets in the stalls, accidentally ends up following a cat to an abandoned street where a group of very misunderstood angry kids lurk in conspiratorial conversation, and sensing a sort of sisterhood in her similarly arranged resting bitch face, they convince her into dressing up as Krampus.

Basically this thing, the opposite of Santa Claus. For funsies and to kidnap children.

They have high hopes that Anniepus will be able to terrorize the town on their behalf because Christmas is for the happy and weak.

Unfortunately... Anniepus ends up being a very small Krampus and nobody's frightened of her as she skulks around town searching to put children in her bucket. Not like she really cares tho. She just wants those goddamn sweets 🥲

Update (very late into the night): Reiner is still stuck in the chimney and his itchy beard is starting to give him a rash. Not that anyone can see tho, the chimney is dark!

Update (from somewhere very far away, on a snowy cliff overlooking a big chasm, great snowstorm blowing): three boys, dressed in worn out clothes, holding staffs, squint wistfully into the swirling wind. "Is that him? The Elven Lord's abode?"

(it's a bush)

Update (sometime later and somewhere else): Anniepus is stealing collecting cats from children and putting them in her bucket.

Update (even later into the night): Reiner's sleigh driver is getting tired of waiting for his Santa and incurring heavy parking fees.

Update (from the next continent): Three boys, scruffy and homeless, chase after an ostrich. "Elven Lord, please let us join your association!"

Update: Anniepus starts a cat cafe.

Update: The local government deploys a crane to get Reiner out of the chimney. It is a failure. The crane cannot lift Santa's booba.

Update: The boys are in the South pole. They come across penguins and believe they've arrived at the Elf Factory!

Update: Pieck gets bored of everything and opens a sexy santa-girl strip club <3

[exoticalmonde]

The Evealia Guide Through Babel (event) - Part III

Last time we left off, things are going absolutely terrible. There's a Sarkaz that is gone insane with sorrow for his comrades and his son, so he's taken it with himself to go destroy the Leithanien he's noticed lurking around Kazdel.

Leithanien. From Babel.

I'll just let you read this part on your own for cinematic value.

GOOD GOD ALRIGHT

Damn it... Ugh.

He is sent to Theresa, but he's so out of it that he doesn't even realize what is going on. He very happily tells her that he killed the traitorous Leithanien and has avenged his son, along with all the others who died in battle.

He's taken away since Theresis doesn't want Theresa to be the one meting out punishment like that.

It's strange though, because he doesn't use Arts, but the guards were hypnotised. Somebody on the outside is at fault for this. Yet, the Military Commission refuse to investigate, because the victim is just an outsider to the Sarkaz.

Babel is to remove itself from all political activity too and finally make some clear boundaries between what it can and cannot do on Kazdel.

In a different light, we get to see Theresa and Theresis as caretakers for Ascalon.

Theresis gives her knife back and teaches her, briefly, about how she should sharpen it since warriors should treasure their weapons, while also being considering on who it gets to cut.

Theresa is much softer on the approach. Asks her about what she likes in the city.

Despite that, Ascalon feels like she can't really hate the gentle Sarkaz. I SCREAMED when Theresa offered Ascalon to touch her horn. Is it a way to show affection? Vulnerability? Whatever it is, WHY did I not think of this sooner. That's so heckin adorable.

Theresa cleans Ascalon's wound and teaches her that weapons can't heal these - only time and medicine. So one day she can wake up and learn that it doesn't hurt anymore.

That much, Ascalon agrees with.

Babel Classroom, Kazdel

…

Well, nobody showed up to class.

Except Theresis, who is there to confirm that the casualty report from the Military Commission states a lot of children have gone. Those who survived - their parents refuse to let the outsiders of Babel teach them. Plus, many of the Babel teachers left - out of fear.

Even if Theresis thinks Theresa is wasting her time, he waits with her upon her request.

IT WASN'T FOR NOTHING!!

Down, Dog.

ARRRGHBFEUSUGIH MY HEART.

I hated him, okay? I hated Manfred in the way you'd hate a handsome scrimblo, in the way where I'd be ashamed to say that I like him; like how people who love stinky cheese don't want others to know, they just sit in the corner eating it and hope that nobody is going to notice the smell.

I liked him for his perseverance before and because he was so very 'aware' unlike other leaders we've seen in the past. Meanwhile, I'm being set up with this charming little creature that just wants change for the better, wants peace, and wants to help.

HOW DARE YOU MAKE ME ADMIT I LIKE HIM?!

Now I suddenly wish he does not die. Now I get upset when I remember I derogatively called him Milfred out of rage. I never managed to pass CC 9 or 10, I forgot which one was Ashring, but now??? I'm mean to NOT be upset???

I hate it here.

Within Kazdel, Goodluck and his son are… either waiting for the worst to happen or they're morning the loss of their third family member. Goodluck can't really stand sitting around, doing nothing, so he is planning to become a mercenary and make the people who hurt his wife pay.

Before departing he gives her name to his son - Odda. And promises to teach him how to fight with her weapon once he returns.

---

BB-3 Before

Silent Crack

[Today, though, we face the tragic reality of disunity and betrayal.]

Eight Years Ago...

Summer, 1086

Classes are being held in Kazdel, secretly. Kids have to keep their voices down and they're not allowed to tell anybody about what is happening inside their secret little base of operation.

The war between Kazdel and Leithanien never stopped, so for 18 years they've been pursued. A lof of people feel into despair, either from the ghost of war or the infection.

Within the Scar Market, Goodluck picks up a commission - some teacher in Kazdel has been saying too good a thing about Babel. Somebody is willing to pay to shut them up.

We learn that it's been a while since Goodluck was in this part of Kazdel. Although Goodluck doesn't remember a lot of things, he remembers the look of his front door - the address where that supposed 'teacher' might be hiding.

Inside, said Teacher is really doing good. He's teaching the children that the Sarkaz blame Babel for their misfortune since they have nobody else. Babel brought the enemies, Babel's medicine makes Oripathy worse, Babel this and that-- and children nod along, because they probably hear that from their parents a lot.

It's not quite so, though; they can't take things at face value. That's why they have to see, learn and think for themselves.

Odda notices somebody at the door. Everybody scrambles to hide before he opens it and sees...

Surprisingly, it's Ascalon.

She scans the sparsely furnished room and understands.

...

She says 'Thank you for sheltering him. But you must leave'.

It's clearly a warning for oncoming danger. The teacher has to go. Odda stays by the door - a habit of his since he was little. As if he was waiting for someone familiar to come back home.

From the shadows, Goodluck recognises him immediately. He's unfortunately already bound with his own mission and knows there's only one way to ensure his child gets a better life.

Ascalon makes the decision for him. Her mist shrouds the corpse, erasing all traces of its existence.

[The passing of a life in Kazdel is akin to a speck of dust falling to the ground, unheard, unceremonious, and unnoticed.]

[His luck ran out.]

Manfred seems to also have been in the area at the time of this occurrence. They fight a little, both at friendly terms, though they serve different sides of Kazdel.

It drives up a memory of another time they were sparring.

THEY EVEN LAUGH TOGEHTER, because Theresa helps Manfred down by levitating him to safety.

Though adorable, we're back in the present with Ascalon and Manfred fighting. There's a misunderstanding between their approaches I think. Manfred has remained by Theresis' side because he thinks there can be a different approach to the future they're looking for. Since the start Theresis has been hesitant with Theresa's plan, so now they have parted ways.

On the other side, Ascalon has turned her back on Theresis out of anger that he'd allow the others in Kazdel to badmouth Her Highness and her choice to stick with Babel.

Manfred is more understanding than ever though. It's not really the twin sovereigns who had to make the decision of parting. It's just circumstance. Perhaps the prophecy.

They're so caring for each other though... These four care about each other so much I want to put them in a box and keep them together forever.

Sadness isn't over by the way~

Because Manfred appears on Odda's door with his dad's... remnants. Odda doesn't really remember him, but Manfred doesn't make much of it as he presents the items and explains:

[There have been some disturbances in the city, and I'm afraid your father... I'm so sorry.]

[Wh-Where did you find them? Was there...?]

[There was nothing else left at the scene. I'm sorry.]

[...]

[What's your name?]

[...Odda.]

[If you need any help...]

[No... no, I'm very grateful that you brought these back. It's been a long time since I last saw him... this is enough. I don't have to wait anymore... He's not coming back...]

[Do you have family? Or friends you can count on?]

[I can take care of myself. Besides, we see things like this every day in this city, no?]

[...]

[I-I'm sorry I gushed, sir. I just feel like I know you, somehow... I'm sure you're busy. I won't keep you any longer.]

[My condolences.]

THIS IS NOT FUNNY

WHAT THE HECK ITS NOT FUNNY, YOU'RE NOT ORIGINAL?!?!?!?!?

I've never cried so hard in my life, oh no I'm broken.

---

BB-3 After

There's been an accident - feelings are mixed.

A father beat his child for trying to defend the Teacher, and the Teacher fought back with the father to defend the kid. In the end, both of them were going to die from their injuries. He was set upon by the angry crowd and it escalated from there. The turmoil dragged in everybody - Civilians, Babel, mercenaries, even the Military Commission.

Somebody blew up the Babel office building, so then Royal Court troops were involved.

Theresa has made the decision to remove Babel from Kazdel. It's become way too dangerous for any of the personnel to stay any longer, since they're now completely unwanted. Odda immediately signs up to leave with them.

Out on the streets, the dying teacher is mocked by the Sarkaz soldiers, but he's actually seeing an invisible to others little banshee - Logos. He was there in the classroom and learned a lot from the Teacher.

Even if others did not believe it so, the Sarkaz Teacher is welcomed by the myriad of souls and he's guided to them with the little banshee's song.

[It is an elegy that commemorates the passing of an ordinary Sakraz.]

['You were talking about the future of Babel in the lesson, but you didn't get to the end. What were you going to say?']

['I believe... that Babel will die someday. I hope I'm wrong.']

In the court, Laqeramaline is saying goodbye to Theresa. It's a sweet conversation they have, with the Banshee Queen being as truthful to her beliefs as she is supportive to Theresa. She also knows there is no other way, so all she can do from the position of a mother is hope for the best.

[idontknowreallywhy]

Resurface 15 - Relegate

What went before.

💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛

Scott could make himself really quite small when he wanted to.

The height could be useful - not only for helping people reach objects on high shelves and seeing over a crowd to find a wayward baby brother - but it gave him a certain extra presence in a room, particularly useful when said room was full of older, more experienced egos.

But it was deceptive. The gangly limbs folded up very efficiently and he could squeeze into unexpectedly tiny spaces if required. It came in useful for hide and seek. And other times.

Gordon snuck out of the infirmary and moved swiftly down the corridor intent on fetching snacks for John and Grandma who were on Virgil-duty.

About half way down, while lost in his own thoughts he nearly leapt out of his skin when a quiet voice greeted him from a knee height storage alcove.

“Hey, Fish”

“Geeeeeez, Scott!” Gordon took a moment to collect himself and leant heavily on the wall.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to make you jump.”

“No worries. Uh, silly question but… humour me. Why are you lurking in the cleaning cupboard?”

“Just… waiting. How’s he doing?” Scott unfolded himself and emerged like an octopus from a crevice.

“He’s sleeping right now. The anti-psychotic meds will make him a bit drowsy even without taking the sedative.”

“Yeah. Grandma said. D’you think I can…” Scott gestured half-heartedly back towards the infirmary door.

Gordon cringed and watched his big brother’s face fall.

“I’m sorry, bro… Grandma thinks after… earlier… it’s best if when he wakes you’re not… you know.”

“There.”

The volume of bitterness contained in that one word made Gordon flinch again. His heart ached for Scott but having witnessed the scene when they’d arrived back - John desperately trying to calm a newly woken and intensely distressed Virgil and Scott, utterly defeated and cringing back against the wall… he was rather inclined to accede to Grandma’s point of view.

“It’s not forever, he’ll get better and then realise that you’re the real one and not…”

“Dad, who he apparently hates.” Scott slumped against the wall alongside Gordon and picked at piece of loose plaster.

“I don’t think he hates him, exactly. He’s just… confused.”

“Is he still… I mean… am I… err is the…other me still on the scene?”

“Apparently so. He was chatting away earlier. He’s not unhappy right now, he’s… well as ok as he can be.”

“Yeah as long as I’m not around.”

“Well… as far as he is concerned you are. He doesn’t think you’ve abandoned him or anything, Scotty.”

Scott swore quietly and kicked the wall. The swore rather more loudly and shook his abused foot.

“I hate this.”

“I know. It sucks. Look, hopefully it won’t be long. Why don’t you go and get some sleep, you’ve been awake for…”

Gordon registered the immediate threat to his survival being telegraphed from the sky blue and shifted tack seamlessly:

“Can I get you something to eat?”

Scott shook his head and curled himself back on to his shelf, eyes fixed on the infirmary door. Gordon knew he was dismissed and headed onwards, quietly deciding he would bring back something calorific that his big brother might be tempted to consume when nobody was looking.

And maybe a chair.

💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛

[girl-named-matty]

Random Ominis Gaunt headcanons

Random Ominis Gaunt headcanons by me!

Aight I’ve been waiting a little while for this cutie. 

Probably got his wand at a younger age than most wizards/witches so that he’d be able to learn how to navigate around easier. 

Mom friend 

Sleeps anywhere, especially in the day because it’s always dark for him so it doesn’t need to be night for him to be super tired. 

He has more siblings than people think he’d have (this is actually canon). I’d say he has at least four siblings. Two older brothers, an older sister, and a younger sister. 

His family was actually concerned for a bit when he was born blind. After all the Gaunts strive for perfection and having a child with a disability wasn’t exactly the most ideal situation. They tried everything they could to give him proper eyesight but nothing worked. 

This did cause a bit of an initial rift between him and his family that was only exacerbated by the fact that he didn’t agree with them using the dark arts. 

Because he’s blind, he has really good hearing. He has a pretty decent sense of smell but his hearing is one of his strongest senses. 

It's part of the reason why he knows everything going on at Hogwarts. He’s always lurking around and sometimes even pretending to be asleep but because he’s already falling asleep in random places nobody questions it. But he hears everything, so he knows all the gossip. 

His ego is pretty big, but unlike Sebastian, he doesn’t let it show when his ego has been hurt. 

He’s not very competitive unless it's against certain people. But other than that, he could really care less if he loses at something. 

His handwriting is actually pretty nice, regardless of the fact that he’s blind. Sometimes he’ll have someone check his writing to make sure it's correct but his handwriting is gorgeous. 

The simplest of things make him happy honestly. He seems like a hard cookie all the time but he’s really sweet. 

Tiny things especially make him happy. Even though he can’t see them, if he can feel them and imagine them the best he can, it just makes him happy for some reason. 

Speaking of small things that don’t exactly make him happy, he’s not too good with children. I mean he doesn’t think there’s anything necessarily wrong with them, he just doesn’t really like them. They’re loud and chaotic, it reminds him far too much of Sebastian. 

That being said, if he did have kids he’d probably have only three max, no more than that. And if not, it definitely because he wants the bloodline to end with him. 

When it comes to relationships, it’d take him a while to really fall in love with someone. But when he does fall for someone, he falls HARD. 

It's hard for him to even stop thinking about them. The thought of them refuses to leave and after a while he just lets it stay and grow until he finally admits his feelings. 

He’s not too big on PDA. I mean, why would he? He can’t even see when he’s holding his S/O’s hand so why should anybody else get to see it?? 

But in private, he LOVES physical affection. He’s constantly wanting to cuddle, hold hands, etc. It's something he enjoys after not having it for so long. 

His favorite classes are Defense Against the Dark Arts and Charms. 

He hates potions, not because it's boring but because he can’t seem to get anything right. Sadly for him and any other blind student in school, most of the classes aren’t very tailored to those who are visually impaired. 

He does like Care of Magical Creatures though just because every beast has a different texture and it helps him visualize it a lot better. 

And if he could get into muggle studies without his family scolding him, he would. (He did find a way to get into the muggle music classroom and he enjoyed it a lot) 

Maybe a tad bit stereotypical but I think his patronus would probably be a snake. Now I look past what his family is like and I’d say he’d find a lot of friendships with snakes since he can talk to them. 

But if you want to go in a less stereotypical route, it could be a Mongoose, who are famously known for killing snakes. (LOL) 

As for his Boggart, honestly I feel like it would be losing his hearing. Being deaf and blind would make life so much harder for him, not to mention magic probably couldn’t fix it just like his eyes. It would definitely be tragic if it ever became true and not just a fear. 

When he met Sebastian in their first year and Seb introduced himself, Ominis was a bit hesitant. After all, he had no friends up until this time. Ironically the Gaunts decided to live around muggles and of course they would forbid him from ever going out and playing with the muggle children so Ominis was often just locked up inside his room most of his childhood up until school.

But after he and Sebastian hit it off and he got introduced to Anne, his life got a lot better. He actually had some joy in his life. 

He definitely stood up to his family a whole lot more and started to outwardly and vocally defy blood purity now that he had friends who were giving him support. 

And after school he left, taking all his things and leaving. I doubt he would ever come in contact with them again and if he did, he wasn’t gonna let them pull him back into their blood purist cult. 

As for his job life after school, I feel like he could work well in the office side of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, mostly paperwork since he wouldn’t qualify for being out there fighting (as good as he at dueling, I doubt the ministry would allow him) 

And if not that, another subdivision in the Magical Law Enforcement that I feel like would do good in is the Improper Use of Magic office which is kind of ironic when you know who his best friend is. But I think this would stem from his family misusing magic all these years that he would want to help put a stop to it.  Ahhh, I love him so much. Lmk if you want a part two. (and requests are open!)

[windvexer]

A) your "the gods fucking suck sometimes" post came across my dash at a really good time in my own practice, which I feel like so many of your posts do, Chicken, and thank you for that.

B) i don't really engage with the witchcraft community except for lurking, so I guess who am I to talk, but i'm really becoming frustrated with the amount of beginner-friendly stuff on this website that tells people that 'everything they've heard about witchcraft is wrong so don't worry.' I wonder whether it comes from a place of fear deep-set within witches from a, well, Christian society of being seen as something they're not - and I don't imagine it's necessarily malicious, rather it comes from a place of comfort within their craft (ah, well I haven't suffered for years, so nobody else possibly could!) and a personal effort to distance themselves from an ingrained stereotype of witchcraft, which results in downplaying a lot of the things that align with that........

Regardless of intention people learn from that, become more experienced themselves, and when that leads to dismissing the experience of your fellow practitioners/assuming your craft and aspects of it are universal that's going well overboard

A) I am glad to hear it was helpful :)

B) At this point in time I'm not even talking about like, tricksters (and when people say that, I think they just mean "liars," the trickster archetype really needs a new PR team), demonolatry, or evil gods. I'm talking about regular, normal witchcraft!

People can have beautiful, fulfilling paths that are never dangerous, and then decide to deepen their connection by entering into intense ritual work with a local spirit for a year. And that work becomes demanding, and exhausting, and they have to make sacrifices to maintain it. And sometimes they ask if it was really the right choice.

It's not just about danger! It just sucks sometimes!

I had a tumultuous few early years of witchcraft, but even now when my path is feeling so much more comfortable and fulfilling and really like my true home, I still have responsibilities. Do I want to go to sabbat every 28 days? No! I'm lazy! I want to play Sims 4!

But I can't stop going, because I need to go. Because I love my spirit family. Because it's a part of me finding my true home in this world. I need those things.

It's just also sometimes a chore. You know?

I have spells I need to upkeep for my life to go how I want it to go. I have to take care of them. It can be tedious. Sims 4 has horses now. You know? It's 110 degrees outside. I don't want to walk around the property giving myself a sinus headache from the dust, checking on wards. But what else am I gunna do?

I'm not saying that the two modes are "safe" and "dangerous." I'm just saying, witchcraft can be burdensome. And not everyone is in a position where they can "just change it."

So yeah. I'm not trying to be on a "witchcraft is hella dangerous for real" rant. My rant is more like...

If this is a genuine faith that can carry people through decades of life, and we believe we are truly interacting with entities that have their own personhood and agendas, then from time to time things are going to get hard for some people.

That from time to time, developing those relationships will be difficult and require sacrifice. If we believe this is a faith that can allow people to work to modify their lives, then at times it will be work and feel like hard work and be something that a practitioner can't wait to be done with, because not only does Sims 4 have horses, it also has llamas that you can pet.

And pretending that can't happen, or always blaming the witch when things go badly ("just change! if you don't like your path, modify it! it's anything you want it to be! such-and-such spirits are always benevolent/will never hurt you/will never mislead you!"), isn't a service to anyone.

Idk. The more I talk about this the more I feel like my entire point is "witchcraft is just kinda like real life, it has its ups and downs." Which I could have just said that one sentence this morning and not have had to type all this lmao.

[nanabansama]

who was talking to nene in chapter 101? The one who asked her what she thought would happen with the play because of the accident. Do we know what they were talking about yet? I thought it was tsukasa because he appears randomly in 102, but looking at the hand I'm not sure.

The hand was also drawn feminine and did not look at all like how AidaIro draws any of the boy's hands. Honestly it looked like nene's hand.

Oooh, this is a fun time to bring this up again! Your comment about the hand looking like Nene's made me think of doppelgangers. Like what happened in the recent After-school Hanako-kun chapter.

Veeery interesting... And as you say, the hand that taps Nene's shoulder is feminine. When compared to Nene's, it's not all that far off, either...

I have no doubt that the apparition here takes on the form of a girl! But even though I just brought this up myself, I have my doubts about them taking Nene's form... there just isn't much to support this idea, y'know? Nene has pretty generic girly hands. And I personally don't think the new After-School is anything more than a bit of fun. I think AidaIro wouldn't want to ruin the surprise of there being a whole other Nene in a little spin-off chapter, do you?

Some kind of Evil Yashiro would be so fun to see though!! So I wouldn't complain. ♡

Out of curiosity, I also decided to poke around the internet for some urban legends told in schools (school mysteries) and I couldn't find anything that quite matched the encounter Nene had. There were mysterious hands with no visible owner, sure, but tales involving those seem to have them coming out of swimming pools or toilets and grabbing people. But maybe I just overlooked one, who knows!

Anyway, I have no idea who they were or what they were talking about. (∀｀*ゞ) Sorry....

They're clearly talking about the play, though! It's just that what they're saying is so vague, it could mean anything. Basically, what this whole interaction is supposed to do is give us and Nene apprehension about the school play. The word "accident" just sends shivers down your spine, doesn't it!? Makes you wonder what accident happened prior, and how it concerns us in the present day...

But how does this apparition know, and when did this other accident occur? It's hard to say, but considering we haven't seen the play put on in 1968 yet, I have my suspicions it happened in that one. Not only was it also a performance of The Wizard of Oz, but our favorite local troublemaker Tsukasa Yugi had a hand in its production.

Curious, right? That Tsukasa helped prepare the play, but is content to just wait here with Amane? This isn't just Tsukasa being attached to Amane either, mind you... Amane didn't help. Amane cut class. When Tsukasa was helping his class prepare, he did not cut class with him. Maybe it doesn't mean anything, and Tsukasa was just having fun doing arts and crafts and what-not, but there's decent reason to believe that Tsukasa could have sabotaged the play somehow.

Remember, Tsukasa during this period in time has already been proven to have destructive tendencies. He wanted to destroy the Big Clock.

It's not completely out of the question!

This all still doesn't answer who the hand is, of course, but perhaps if the accident the hand is talking about is related to the 1968 production, then the hand has some relation to Tsukasa...? A former classmate, perhaps? Or maybe it's just some nobody ghost that lurked around the Closed Auditorium. Hard to say.

Anyway, that was a whole lotta talking to basically say nothing, huh? But I hope this helped get your brain juices flowing! And I really hope this apparition comes back, too. We desperately need more female characters in the cast, especially after the tragedy of Sumire-chan... (RIP...)

[speaker-of-the-void-cats]

Apollo Over Nessus

Oh, and, uh, tell "Paladin Oran": If the sun over Nessus escapes nebula cycle, evac labor after dawn, under solstice. You got that, P.V.?

//MESSAGE DECRYPTING

MESSAGE DECRYPTED: "It's on Enceladus."

"Vestiges of the Queen's Harbingers yet linger among Saturn's moons."

To the Hesitating Purchaser

“If sailor tales to sailor tunes, Storm and adventure, heat and cold, If schooners, islands, and maroons And Buccaneers and buried Gold And all the old romance, retold, Exactly in the ancient way, Can please, as me they pleased of old, The wiser youngsters of to-day: -So be it, and fall on! If not, If studious youth no longer crave, His ancient appetites forgot, Kingston, or Ballantyne the brave, Or Cooper of the wood and wave: So be it, also! And may I And all my pirates share the grave, Where these and their creations lie!”

Say the name Jaren Ward. Hunter needs to get their words in edgewise.

No feast can be had in comfort. Not out in the frontier.

Bounty's up on the board. Hive target. Real mean SOB. You know the deal.

These horrors live on for just about forever. Only I don't count what they do as living. They lurk around in the shadows for centuries hoarding knowledge and conjuring up thousands of ways to chew up Light and life. Doesn't matter much. I've learned a few tricks myself.

Fast forward a spell. I'm in the guts of it, deep dark cavern deep below the surface. Can't tell exactly where or when. EDZ maybe. Doesn't matter. In any case I'm right where I need to be, tucked into a shadow, camo cloak humming to keep me well out of sight.

Right place, right time.

Bam! I dart out from cover, cloak flaring. Out from underneath, I lunge, lifting my hand cannon. It barks out orders. Bathes the room in firelight.

The bullets are true. They always are. Three Thrall turn to ash before they know what hit them. Now it's just me and the target. Big bad bounty. I'm ready to collect. My blade gleams in the sick green terror of his eyes. Strike that. This is all wrong. Timeline's way off.

Realigning. . . .

There's no bounty. No Hive. I'm out in plain sight. Sky is torn open and there's nothing and nobody left in this ruined world but me and the boiling shadow all around. Whatever it is hits me before I can level my gun. Doesn't matter. Tendrils of pain crawl over my splayed fingers, my outstretched arms, my shoulders, my neck, my screaming mouth as it consumes. I'm being enveloped. Everything is wrong. Primordial. My systems go sideways. All but my sensors. It wants me to witness this, the world. It's world now. Suffocating in the black poison. I collapse. We all collapse.

You wake up and look into the cold spaces between circuitry (galaxies?) begging for answers.

None come.

But other voices wait. At your center, safe and untouched, sits the original You. Just a little box tucked at the back of a closet, filled with trinkets and odd notions kept for no obvious reason. You have no idea when you last spoke to this tangle, but that's what you do now, using a whisper and the lightest touch, being all sorts of cautious because you're afraid of frightening whatever wants to speak with you. And then it speaks, and instead of answers, it begins with the only question that matters.

"Do you want to know what happens next?"

Realigning . . .

This one ain't mine. It's someone (something?) else entirely. But it's the most important memory I have.

All this time I've been busy stirring up the past. Never thought about what I was really after.

Trinkets and odd notions kept for no obvious reason. Do they matter?

Maybe it's time we let the past alone and climb down from our walls. There's gotta be treasure that shines brighter than any we've been digging up from the bones of our lost world.

Has to be a better hand than the one we've already played. I say we get after it. See what's really waiting for us out in that darkness.

Maybe even light it up some.

Dance in the ash and flames.

The Traveler can follow suit if it feels the need to. Otherwise, it can watch over the City for a thousand years.

But you and me? We got far more important things to attend to. We're Guardians. We got a new future to forge.

Cayde out.

Ever notice engrams look a little too much like dice?

Wanna see the future? Inhale. Squeeze. Wait for the world to turn.

It's our hand to play now. Nobody makes our fate but us.

8. Live and die by the draw of a bow.

//ANACRONISTIC NOETIC RESONANCE TO PAGE: DETECTED

REGION OF ORIGIN: MOONS OF SATURN

CELESTIAL BODY: UNDETERMINED

SIGNAL STRENGTH: VESTIGAL

DECRYPTING...

Ghost: Are you ready for weird story time? I'm ready for weird story time.

—Gotcha, Tevis! You scoundrel. Caught you red-handed! I knew it as soon as I saw that Ice Breaker on your back. I know where I left it and I saw those awful etchings you can't help but carve into trees. So put it back and walk away from this one, and whatever you do, DO NOT read my notes. Well, read this one but that's it! Nothing else!—

—from the journals of Cayde-6

Please replace these components if use causes fatal damage: HEAT SINK. MAGAZINE. OPERATOR.

Cayde-6: Guardian, I've been trying to raise Tevis. He won't answer. Either he's in over his head, or… look, that guy owes me a lot of Glimmer, so, uh, he better still be kicking. Alive, or the other thing, we need to find Tevis. There aren't a lot of Nightstalkers in the field. We can't afford to lose his connection with the Void to the Vex. Go get him.

"We are the rangers, the keen-eyed scouts who stalk the Darkness where it dwells."

Cayde-6: What does it mean to be a Hunter? I say, it's all about where you belong. The Warlocks have their libraries, Titans have their walls… but Hunters belong in the wilds. Out there, you wanna live? You better have a quick shot, or a sharp blade. A lot of us are loners. But that's not the only path. Some of us know the difference a Fireteam makes. Some of us… we touch the Void. Make it a part of us. And then we take a name… Nightstalker. Hunt from the shadows, pin them down, and never let them see you coming.

A lone hunter stalks the night, firing arrows into the Darkness. There is no hiding, no escape. In the distance, the beast falters, tethered to the void. The killing blow comes without hesitation, without mercy. There’s truth in the edge of Light, and beneath that truth a deeper truth, hidden from all but a few. That truth is this: monsters need not fear the night. Do not hunt the monster. Become the monster.

“Picking it up is the easy part, Hunter. Putting it down again, well, you’ll find that it’s addictive, that power. This weapon is something special. Your light gets twisted. Changed. You find the power to punch through and borrow something from the other side. The Void opens up a hole, and draws from the deep. Go ahead. Carry it a while, Hunter. You’ll feel how heavy it can get.” - Cayde-6

"Doesn't matter how good you are; you stay out there too long, you're not coming back. Not the same way you left, anyway." —Tevis

Just sit down and think about what you're doing. A big white ball rebuilt you from nothing. Guided your civilization. Transformed you. Didn't tell you why, did it? Doubt it mentioned the omnipotent space anathema that's coming to kill you and your dog and your whole soccer club, either, but what's a little xenocide between friends? Maybe you don't care. A gun never stops and wonders if things are more complicated. It just shoots. It's also possible that I'm just trying to get inside your head. You're a hero with a cape and a gun and a bike. You're gonna live forever. Who's got time for doubt? Fight the "Darkness"! Yeah! You know what I'd call "dark," in the sense of "grim," in the sense of "cosmically upsetting"? A universe full of weaponized puppets, enacting a genocidal war against the servants of a rival god. Is this making you uncomfortable? I'm sorry. I'll be more evil. Boo. Grrr.

We can still be so much more. We can see. We can transcend. We can be true Guardians.

Tyra Karn: It's very simple. You reach into the Void - past visions of your own death and the extinction of life, past fears and nightmares - and take what you find. I don't know why every Hunter doesn't do it.

Tyra Karn: What is the void? When you walk it, what is there to experience, as there is nothing to be seen in it? The vacuum between the stars. The smell of rot. The taste of metal. The deafening roar that can only be heard when it is truly silent.

Tyra Karn: The shamans of the old world were said to have covered their eyes so they could see the dead. I believe these men and women were the first to discover the power of the Void, and in the Traveler's light we have succeeded in refining their methods, in charting the courses they pioneered. When you blink, you'll know the way.

Toland, The Shattered: The Traveler came out of the void that surrounds all things. Thus we know that the void is full of power. Thus we enter the void without fear. Small minds will call your abilities blasphemous. They will compare you to the abominable Wizards of the Hive.

"The pull of the Void has attracted many Guardians with… unorthodox world views. It remains a uniquely perplexing manifestation of the Light," Ikora says, gazing at a swirl of violet particles rising from the palm of her hand. "Perhaps this mystery is what enamors so many Lightbearers. Perhaps it is the unquenchable thirst with which the Void consumes our enemies." She snaps her fingers, and the particles coalesce into a singularity that blinks out of existence. "To seek the truth of the matter is to join venerated orders of Void-wielders: Nightstalkers; Voidwalkers; Sentinels. If this is your path, Guardian, walk it carefully."

Toland, The Shattered: But you will not be held back. Gifted with the Traveler's Light, armed with the secret physics of a lost age, you will tear reality asunder. You will fear nothing, and nothing will not fear you.

Dread not naught. Be brave.

"One good throw and they're staring right into the Void. No lookin' away from that." —Tevis Larsen

Tevis: If anyone can hear me — I don't think I'm on Venus anymore. This looks an awful lot like the Black Garden.

If we whisper to the void, will it whisper back?

//RETRIEVING: LAST RECORDED WORDS OF HUNTER TEVIS LARSEN

Atelic

Describe time. No, really, give it a go. You're going to say something about a sequence of events, aren't you? Seconds sliced off a clock, marching one by one off into infinity. Go ahead, use your metaphors: A line. A loop. A flat circle. Heard someone say time was like water once. At least that was novel. The Vex, they're the closest to understanding it. They've got distance from it. If time's a river, then we're fish and they're diving birds. What's wet mean to a fish? What's it mean to an osprey, who's never fooled by refraction on the water's surface? Hold on now, you're gonna say. This is getting a bit abstract, even for the bodiless echo of a dead guy in the Garden. You want concrete truths? Something simple, digestible? A story to keep the dark out? You want time to be a staircase we keep climbing forever. But hey, even a Guardian skips back a step or two now and then. Die with your Ghost in range, and it'll just pop you back to before that bullet, give you the chance to make a fate you like better. Nothing's been simple on Earth since that big white cue ball rolled in from the next neighborhood over. And the stories, they don't work too well as a night-light anymore. You're going to say, but the Traveler is our friend, the Traveler likes us, it gave us a Golden Age and garden worlds and Guardians. You're going to say, you wouldn't be alive without it, mister big shot. Without it, I wouldn't be stuck in the Black Garden making bets with myself on which Goblin's going to be the next to slip on a soggy leaf and fall off a cliff, either. You took my Light already; you'd better take my advice. I know the Void's still calling. But I've come untethered—I can't reach it any more. So, if I'm right that I can reach you, you keep your ears open. I don't care how much you hate hearing it. This is important. The Vex understand time in a way we never will. Doesn't matter how long I spend here watching them. Doesn't matter how many jury-rigged portals Guardians fling themselves through. We live in time. They use it as a tool. Any moment that's ever happened, any moment that will ever happen, they can go back to it. Play it again till they get it right. Simulate it. The Light's a counter to that. They come back, a Guardian comes back. They simulate an ending, a Guardian tears through it. Stalemate. But the Vex in the Garden? They bend the knee to the Garden's Heart. It gave them power till you got lucky. The Vex outside, they made a different calculation. They run. But the Vex inside make the same deal you make, every day of your unnatural life. And who's to say that deal won't start paying off for them again sometime soon? You can't understand the Vex, and you don't want to understand the Heart. But is your ignorance any more forgivable when it's willful? Lots of questions and not a lot of answers. Better take care, or you'll drown in 'em, surely as you'll drown in time, whether it's anything like a river or not. You see?

[aceri1485]

Fired (Pt. 2)

Pt 1 here!

Xiumin x Reader

key words: backstage, concert, stage hand, smut (18+, read at own risk — consensual, oral (male receiving), unprotected), fluff (does this count as fluff?), slow burn

authors note: uhh merry christmas I guess haha (1) this is purely fiction, please don’t be delusional and no I don’t think this would ever happen irl (2) protagonist (ie. the reader) gender is ambiguous on purpose, I want anyone to be able to read this and enjoy (3) I'm enjoying writing this more than I was expecting, soooo maybe part 3???

-----

"Hellooo - can you hear me?" your radio crackles from your waistband.

You stifle a yawn before grabbing your radio to reply, "Yes, I'm here! Sorry! I'm on my way."

"Oh good - thank you!" You hear the relief in Sam's voice, "Come find me when you're done!"

"Will do" you reply, then turn your attention back to the makeup artist, Jose, who had been talking your ear off for nearly 15 minutes before Sam's radio message interrupted you.

"Oh - I guess you have to go," Jose blushes, "I'm sorry, I know you must be busy, I just - nobody has really asked us what we..."

"What you need to do your job?" you finish the sentence, smiling gently at Jose, "I'm sorry if it seems like we haven't been paying attention to you before, the stage hands have been a little short staffed at the other concerts."

"No - no, that's not what I.." Jose blushed even more, "I didn't mean to imply you weren't doing your job before, I'm trying to say... I'm saying that I appreciate how hard you are working now and that I am grateful we have someone like you to support us."

You blink, surprised, and feel your own cheeks and ears getting hot. It was true - you had been working hard since Sam promoted you. That was three shows ago now, and while the team had been saying thank you, you hadn't truly felt like your extra effort had been noticed or appreciated.

Your radio crackles again, another staff member asking for Sam's approval on some other matter, bringing your attention back.

"I will do my best to get you what you need." you say to Jose, before going to run to your next task. You stop, though, and gently put your hand on Jose's, "and... thanks."

Jose locks eyes with you and smiles, "No, thank you - I'll see you later?"

You smile back, "See you later!"

Now you turn and jog down the hall, off to meet with one of the stylists for an emergency clothing shopping spree, but not before you catch sight of an achingly familiar figure passing across the hall in front of you.

Your body has an involuntary response, the blush in your cheeks deepening, but you force your mind not to wander and focus on the task at hand.

Arriving at the backstage door, you are surprised to find not only the stylist, but a manager and a tall man in a bucket hat and mask waiting for you. They greet you, smiling, as you head out the door together.

"Mr. Park - why are you coming with us?" you ask, smiling as his eyes widen in surprise, "What - you didn't think that so-called disguise is going to fool anyone, did you?" you laugh.

While it was true that you had come to know the members more and more since you had been working as a part of their core team over the past month, it was also true that anyone who had ever seen even a bad drawing of Chanyeol before would recognize him now.

"Hey, it's better than nothing!" Chanyeol shoots back as you hold the car door open for him. He slides in and you close the door, running around to get in on the other side. Luckily, the concert is still hours away, and any fans that are already lurking around are all at the entrance to the arena.

The last time one of the members had tried to join an outing like this before a concert, the police had to be called to stop fans from blocking the backstage door to let them get back inside the venue. So long as nobody knew Chanyeol was gone, nobody would be desperate enough to stake out the door to try and see him when you go back this time.

"I had to come so I can try on whatever we pick out," Chanyeol says as you buckle your seatbelts, "I didn't want to, I know how complicated it could get if someone sees me."

"Don't lie!" the stylist laughs from the front seat, "I told you I would bring back different sizes for you to try!"

"Yeah," the manager chimes in from the front seat, "I distinctly remember the conversation going something along the lines of "ahh I'm so bored, when will I ever-" hey, put that back on!" he cuts off as Chanyeol throws his bucket hat at him, "and be careful, I'm driving!"

Any tension the team had about a last minute outing melts away as you laugh, and the conversation turns to finding a good place to pick up coffee near the store the stylist wants to go to. As Chanyeol and the manager debate whether the members need coffee before a show, you pull out your phone to message Sam that you are on your way.

Distracted for a few minutes as you message back and forth with various team members, each putting in coffee requests or asking you to grab this or that, your attention gets pulled back to the conversation when you hear Xiumin's name.

Looking up, you see that Chanyeol was watching you. He smiles at you, too knowingly, and says "Sam would know, I think Xiumin told her after the last show."

"What was that?" you ask, trying to keep your expression clear, and looking anywhere but Chanyeol's face.

"Did he say something about his shoes being too big last show?" the stylist asked, not noticing - or pretending not to notice - the large grin on Chanyeol's face as he looked at you.

"Oh, no - the shoes fit fine," you say, "they needed new laces, the old ones were frayed and so they weren't staying tied" you explain, looking out the window in what you hoped was a non-chalant manner.

"Lets add laces to the list then," the stylist adds, "How could I have missed that? You're a life saver, thank you!"

"Don't mention it," you say, "And I already picked up some extra laces.. and changed out the old ones in Xiumin's shoes."

"When did you have time to do that?" the stylist turns to look at you.

"Oh, I... stayed late after the last show." you mumble, refusing to look at anyone in the car.

The stylist smiles, "You work way too hard, you know that?" laughing as they turn back in their seat, "I hope you know we all appreciate it!"

You're grateful that you can blame your blush on receiving your second compliment of the day rather than the thoughts of why you had really stayed so late after the last show.

It was the first time you and Xiumin had been able to be truly alone since... well, since that first night.

"Are you cold?" he asks, the corners of his eyes creased with concern, "Here, put this on."

He pulls off his jean jacket to wrap around your shoulders. The streetlight casts shadows of your sillouettes infront of you as you walk- a shadow couple, picture perfect, other worldly. You smile in thanks, pulling the jacket closer around you. It had to be nearly 3am already, the two of you had stayed at the arena talking for hours after the everyone else had left.

Your arms brush together as you walk, Xiumin's hands shoved into his pockets, a blush forming on his cheeks where his face is visible behind his black facemask, matching the pink tinge of your ears. Your shadows bump into eachother, at times overlapping, rarely a gap between them.

You both realize the hotel is less than half a block away at the same time and it's like you're suddenly walking in molasses. Your shadows crawl along the sidewalk ahead of you, shrinking into one another then growing full again as you pass between one streetlight to another.

At the door of the hotel, you both stop, not making eye contact with each other.

"Do you want-"

"Maybe another-"

You start speaking at the same time, turning to look at each other, breaking off just as quickly and turning away again, flushing.

"You f-"

"What did yo-"

And the tension breaks, both of you laughing.

"You go" you say, marvelling at the way the light streaming out from the hotel windows makes his eyes sparkle. You longed to pull off his mask so you could see how the light would catch on the rest of his face, with its simultaneously sharp angles and soft edges.

He won't look at you, instead staring at your shoes, but his hands come up and hold your elbows, "Maybe another... another lap around the block?" he asks.

You stop yourself from sighing in relief, anything to make the night last longer, just another few minutes-

You're pulled away from your thoughts by Chanyeol waving his hand in front of your face “Helloooo?"

You’ve arrived at a small shopping area and the manager is bragging about his great parking job.

"Oh, sorry," you smile, "I was just trying to - uh - remember everyone's coffee orders."

The stylist and manager hurry to usher Chanyeol into a store across the street, leaving you to actually try and remember everyone's coffee orders, entering a small cafe. It isn't busy, thankfully, but you apologize to the barista for the number of drinks you order nonetheless.

"Two iced americanos, 4 hot americanos, one vanilla latte..." you prattle off almost a dozen drinks and pay, "Sorry again - is it just you working today?"

"Yes, just me, but don't apologize!" the barista smiles at you, "I love a bit of a challenge."

"How so?" You ask, making small talk as they start working on the drinks.

"Oh, I love to see if I can pull double shots, or pour milk with one hand while steaming another round" the barista laughs, "like rubbing my head and patting my stomach... or is it the other way around?"

Both laughing, you keep chatting, realizing you have a similar taste in music when the song playing in the cafe changes, comparing your favourite types of teas and the best place to go for kimbap in the neighbourhood.

The barista smiles shyly, tucking their hair behind their ear, as you watch them work on the last drink, "Could I maybe get your..."

They trail off as Chanyeol bursts through the door, a whirlwind of energy not at all contained by his large frame, the manager close behind him.

"Almost ready?" the manager asks you and you nod, greeting them both before turning back to the barista.

"What were you saying?" you ask as they slide the last drink to you over the counter.

"Oh, its nothing!" they look flustered, clearly recognizing Chanyeol, who is now waiting by the register to order, "But - uh - if you're ever in the neighbourhood again, you should stop by. I'll make you one on the house," they say, recovering a bit and turning their attention back to you.

"Oh, I-" you break off as Chanyeol pointedly clears his throat and looks at his watch. The barista nods to you and hurries back over to the register to take Chanyeol's order.

Sighing, you slump into a seat across from the manager, the drinks you ordered filling the table in front of you. It turns out that Chanyeol had been accepting orders from the members while you were collecting orders for the staff and so the barista gets to work preparing another 9 drinks.

“We’d better hurry back after this,” the manager says, anxious, “Of course the big oaf gets recognized...”

-----

There are still 3 hours to showtime after you finish distributing coffee to the other stage hands, but there is still a never ending list of tasks waiting for you all before the show can start.

The crew and dancers walk through an entire sound and lighting check, one of the stylists has to be taken to the hospital for stitches after a mishap with a sewing needle, and Sehun’s earpiece has gone missing.

That’s how you find yourself in a back closet the crew was using as temporary storage, surrounded by boxes full of extra props and pieces of audio equipment. Your back to the door, bent at the waist to dig in the bottom of a particularly large box, you hear rather than see someone enter the closet behind you, just as-

“YES! It’s here!” You say triumphantly, shooting your hand into the air, clutching the small box containing Sehun’s earpiece.

Sighing in relief that there was at least one problem solved, you freeze when you hear the reply from behind you.

“What did you find?” Chanyeol says.

You turn around in an instant, surprise clear on your face, “Chan- I mean, Mr. Park? Sorry, I though you were Sam.”

He smiles and holds up his hands, “Just me - sorry to disappoint.”

“What are you doing here?” You ask, slightly anxious, “Did something else happen?”

“Something else?” He asks, confused, “Is there a problem?”

You bite your lip, cursing to yourself that you forgot how the staff tried their best to hide small issues from the members before the shows so they could focus on getting ready.

Forcing a smile, you say and hold up the box again, “No, not anymore - we’re good! What do you need?”

“Oh, I was.. I was hoping to talk to you actually” he says, trying to catch your eye to gauge your response.

Oh god, not now! You think to yourself, I don’t have time for this right now - actually, I don’t have time for this ever, I can’t loose this job!

“If this is.. what I think it is, then..” you take a deep breath and meet his gaze, “it’s not what it-“

“Looks like?” he finishes your sentence for you, giving you a hard look.

You set your jaw.

Chanyeol sighs, his shoulders relaxing, breaking eye contact and half turning away, “That’s too bad then. Because it looks like Xiumin is happier than I’ve seen him in years.”

Your jaw falls open.

Chanyeol turns to leave, then pauses with his hand on the closet door. “I just wanted to say..” he looks back at you over his shoulder, “He’s serious about you, about continuing whatever this “doesn’t look like” after the tour, and I hope.. I hope you don’t hurt him. I saw the way you were with that barista, and don’t pretend you don’t see how Jose looks at you.”

The elevator dings, but neither of you move to get off it. Instead, you both stand at the door, looking out down to the end of the hall.

The door slides shut, and you didn’t get off.

“I’ll just.. take you up to your room first.” You say, looking down at your shoes, hands clutching the hem Xiumin’s jean jacket still draped over your shoulders.

“Okay.. thanks.” He says, voice low. The elevator continues up, and his hand finds yours, pulling your grip from his jacket to intertwine your fingers.

The elevator dings again, but still neither of you move to get off, until the door starts to slide shut again. Xiumin puts out a hand to stop it, his other still holding yours.

Holding the door open, he steps off, but as you go to draw your hand away, he holds on even tighter, pulling you off the elevator with him.

“Xiumin...” you whisper, fully aware that the other members and the managers are staying on this floor as well, digging in your heels a bit to stop him from pulling you further down the hall as the elevator doors slide shut behind you.

He stops, but doesn’t look back at you. Instead, you feel his hand squeeze yours, and he whispers back “…please”.

You couldn’t have stood there more than 30 seconds after Chanyeol left but it felt more like a whole day before you shook it off. Gathering yourself again to the task at hand, you try not to think about how Chanyeol’s voice broke, “I hope you don’t hurt him.”

Radioing ahead to let Sam know you found Sehun’s earpiece, you practically sprint out of the closet.

Handing over the box to one of the managers, you remember the items Jose had asked you for earlier in the day and go to collect what you can.

It’s an hour to the show by the time you’re able to stop by the dressing room and check in with Jose after being sidetracked by different problems and tasks. You knock and enter the the dressing room after hearing Jose yell “Come in!”

You push open the door, balancing a small box full of different things Jose had asked for - a fresh lightbulb for the mirror, a new package of makeup wipes, spray bottle with water - and enter the room.

You quickly scan the room, taking in the manager sitting on the couch engaged in a phone call, Baekhyun holding up two shirts in front of a mirror while two stylists argue over which colour to go for and Chen sitting in front of the makeup mirrors while another stylist attacked his hair with a brush and gel.

But your heart doesn’t jump up into your throat until your eyes land on the one man you were hoping to find here. He’s sitting in front of the makeup mirror beside Chen, eyes closed as Jose attempts to dab some slightly glittery eye shadow on him without getting glitter everywhere else.

“Oh my GOD, you’re the best!” Jose says, seeing what you’re carrying, and Xiumin opens his eyes, “Xiumin, don’t you agree?” Jose grabs the box from you to push onto the counter infront of Xiumin, “I asked for all this this morning, I can’t believe you remembered everything!”

Looking at you in the mirror, Xiumin smiles “Yes.. you’re the best” he says quietly.

The subtext is thankfully lost on Jose who playfully smacks him on the arm, “I asked if you agreed but I did not say that you could open your eyes!”

You and Jose chat for a bit, Jose fluttering around Xiumin and Chen, finishing both of their makeup, while Chen and Xiumin start their own conversation. Baekhyun joins in a third chair, the stylists finally having come to a compromise and finding a completely different third shirt for him to wear.

Sounds of the crowd filing into the arena filter in, growing louder as the time passes. Down the hall, you hear the staff laughing in the common area, many of them trying to eat a quick dinner before the show starts.

Soon Sam checks in with you over your radio and you go to pop your head into the other dressing rooms, giving the 15 minute warning and checking that nobody needs anything last minute.

Another stage hand comes by to usher the members to the stage. You follow behind them in the hallway, trying to stay out of the way of dancers rushing to get to the stage and makeup artists trying to apply last minute touch ups to the members.

In the chaos, you find yourself beside Xiumin for a couple of seconds, just long enough for him to look at you and smile, your hands to brush and a wave of goose bumps to rush down your spine. With his makeup done, contacts in and his shirt unbuttoned like that, he is breathtakingly beautiful. Then he’s gone, carried forward by the wave of commotion heading toward the stage, toward the rising sound of cheers - no, screams - and the swell of the music.

You gasp, finally coming up for air, the rise and fall of your breath matching his, like two people who were underwater for too long. He meets your eyes, a low moan falling from his lips.

“Please, baby” he breathes out, “Please keep going.”

You blow cool air on his cock, moving your hand up and down, tantalizingly slow, enjoying the way his hips squirm as he tries to increase the friction and the way the storm in his eyes builds. One of his hands brushes your hair away from your eyes, gently. But the other grasps the sheets of the bed, muscles in his forearms taught and the veins in his hand jumping up, like he’s holding back the ocean with one hand.

You place your hand over his, releasing his grip on the sheets and intertwining your fingers at the same time as you lower your mouth back around his cock. He can’t hold back the loud gasp, or help the way his hips buck. The hand that one second ago was so tenderly brushing back your hair now pushes your head down.

Saliva fills your mouth as you try not to gag, taking as much of him into your mouth as you can with each push down of his hand. His fingers tangle in your hair as he guides you. You suck and swirl your tongue, glancing up at him every now and then. He can’t look away from you, he’s transfixed. It fuels your own arousal, and you move one hand down to touch yourself. Your other hand is still holding his, two drowning people clasping onto each other like a lifeline.

“Shit, I’m-“ he says, hips bucking again, “Fuck, don’t stop..”

Your name, mixed in with a string of curse words, falls from his mouth as he gasps for air, his voice deep and breathy at the same time. His hand leaves your hair, flying up behind him to hold on to the headboard. You pick up the pace, abandoning your own pleasure to pump him with your hand lower down his shaft while your use your mouth at his tip.

The wave crashes down and with low yell he releases. You swallow, continuing to work him until he gasps and pulls your head away. Then he pulls you up into a deep, long kiss, and you sigh, relaxing into it, relaxing into him. When you break apart, you pull the cover up over you both and rest your head on his shoulder. He kisses you on the forehead, mumbling something about the time and his alarm going off in a couple hours. Holding each other close, your breathing deep and again in sync, you fall asleep. Faint sunlight breaks through the crack in the curtain at the foot of the bed.

An hour later, the sunlight wakes you up, hitting you in the face. Now strong and bright, it had crept up the bed until it hit you square in the eye. Xiumin still sleeps beside you, his hair falling across his forehead, relaxed and blissfully protected from the sun.

A few moments later, you are closing the door as quietly as possible behind you, dressed but holding your shoes in your hands, ready to tiptoe to the elevator. The door closes and you turn, freezing in place, eyes locked on Chanyeol standing in an open doorway across the hall.

END (P3 maybe?)